There have been the latest reports about a major diplomatic breakthrough in a new truce between Israel and Lebanon, yet Hezbollah insists that it has not received any official proposal about the ceasefire. Israeli officials, however, say that negotiations are going well, with Israel’s Foreign Minister saying that implementation will be an essential step in a final agreement.

Hezbollah: No Formal Ceasefire Offer Yet

At a press conference from the southern suburbs of Beirut, Hezbollah’s head of the media office, Mohammad Afif, declared no official truce proposal has reached the organization or Lebanon. “So far, according to my information, nothing official has reached Lebanon or us in this regard,” Afif stated, suggesting that discussions are still in the early stages. He added that current talks seem to be about “testing the waters” and exchanging preliminary ideas, with no concrete offers made.

Israeli officials said that some ground was gained politically in the push toward a peace settlement but that it would be tough to enforce on either side. “There is progress,” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, citing the real sticking point: ensuring such an agreement’s terms are carried out. His remarks follow press reports that Israel’s cabinet approved a plan on the agenda for an attainable ceasefire. This would delineate terms whereby Hezbollah would retreat to areas north of the Litani River, where its armed presence close to the Israeli border would be limited.

Press Coverage: Truce Drafts are Swapped

Israeli media describes the state of the talks in greater depth. Report: Israel and Lebanon are close to an agreement on a ceasefire deal under which Hezbollah would withdraw from border areas as the Israeli Defense Forces return to their positions along the international border, according to Israel Hayom on Sunday. Another influential newspaper in Israel, Yedioth Ahronoth, disclosed that drafts had already been passed between the Israelis and the Lebanese, with US envoy Amos Hochstein centering on facilitating the exchange of views between the two parties.

The Future: Enforceability as a Critical Issue

Regular diplomatic talks are being held, but the focus is still on implementing this future agreement. With that and with the diplomatic lines left open, ensuring compliance with these terms poses a central challenge, which poses a significant headache for Israeli officials. Meanwhile, all eyes are on how both parties, through US mediation, will turn initial discussions into a binding and enforceable agreement that could lighten long-standing hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border.