Daijiworld Media Network - Beirut
Beirut, Jun 2: A new diplomatic effort aimed at reducing hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border has gained momentum after Hezbollah reportedly agreed to a US-backed proposal calling for a reciprocal halt in attacks with Israel, according to the Lebanese presidency.
The development emerged following discussions between Joseph Aoun and Marco Rubio, during which both sides reviewed the security situation in Lebanon and ongoing efforts to prevent further escalation.
According to information relayed by the Lebanese embassy in Washington, the US initiative proposes a mutual cessation of military actions by both Hezbollah and Israel. Under the initial phase of the arrangement, Israeli strikes targeting Beirut's southern suburbs would stop, while Hezbollah would suspend attacks against Israeli targets. The framework could later be expanded to encompass all Lebanese territory.
The presidency's statement said that Donald Trump informed Lebanon's ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the proposal. The ambassador subsequently conveyed the message to President Aoun, who then communicated the development to Hezbollah.
Diplomatic discussions are expected to continue through a series of meetings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, with negotiators seeking to translate the reported breakthrough into a broader ceasefire arrangement.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has reportedly assured US officials that Hezbollah is prepared to accept an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. According to media reports citing his senior adviser, Ali Hamdan, Berri conveyed the message to US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, pledging to oversee and guarantee Hezbollah's adherence to any agreement.
Berri's proposal reportedly envisions a complete cessation of hostilities on land, at sea and in the air, alongside an Israeli commitment to halt the demolition of homes in southern Lebanon.
Despite the diplomatic progress, US and Israeli officials are said to remain uncertain about whether Berri can ensure Hezbollah's full compliance. Nevertheless, his influence within Lebanon's Shia political establishment and longstanding ties to Hezbollah make him a key intermediary in the negotiations.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that Tehran has suspended indirect communications with Washington through mediators in protest against Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
The diplomatic efforts come amid renewed violence. Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered strikes on the Beirut suburb of Dahieh, a district widely regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold, following an increase in rocket and drone attacks targeting Israeli military positions.
The Israel Defense Forces said two explosive drones launched by Hezbollah struck Israeli forces, killing a military doctor and injuring seven soldiers. The incident underscored the fragile security environment even as ceasefire discussions continue.
The latest initiative represents one of the most significant attempts in recent months to contain the cross-border conflict, which has intensified alongside broader regional tensions and raised concerns about the possibility of a wider confrontation in the Middle East.