The US is ratcheting up its diplomacy to reach an end to the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon, as no agreement has been reached so far. This was the guarded optimism of US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller at a news briefing Monday, giving indications of progress toward agreement but cautioning that key steps remain before a deal can be finalized.

Diplomacy for a Ceasefire End

There are signs a diplomatic breakthrough might be at hand, as four senior Lebanese sources reported yesterday that U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron will probably announce a ceasefire within the next 36 hours. Miller underscored, however, that even though differences narrowed on certain counts in the negotiations, an overall agreement is yet to come.

“We don’t believe we have an agreement yet,” Miller said, underlining the importance of continued discussions. “We believe we’re close to an agreement. We have narrowed the gaps significantly but there are still steps that we need to see taken.”

For its part, the US has been trying to broker a cease-fire between Hezbollah, Iran’s Lebanese ally, and Israel. Battles between the two have recently increased in ferocity dramatically, leaving the region once known for being relatively calm. The Lebanon War happened at the same time that its allies, Israel, and Hamas were warring in Gaza, which began in October 2023.

Escalation of Hostilities While Negotiating on Ceasefire

Even as indications that the fighting might be easing began to show, violence erupted anew. Israeli airstrikes pounded the Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, underscoring volatility amid the diplomatic push. The airstrikes are part of Israel’s continuing military campaign, which started in September following nearly a year of cross-border hostilities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office had no comment on reports saying both Israel and Lebanon agreed on the text of a ceasefire deal. A senior Israeli official said, however, that Israel’s cabinet will convene on Tuesday to discuss and perhaps approve the agreement.

More:Biden Announces Record $4 Billion Pledge to World Bank for World’s Poorest Nations.

Regional Tensions and International Involvement

This delicate situation drags on as the diplomatic process goes on in the background of rising military actions. US officials, at their end, are calling for real action which would be tantamount to the effective end of any warfare. They hope that if the fighting stops coming to an end, it may result in a permanent ceasefire and will prevent further escalations from taking place.

Hope for a Diplomatic Resolution

Therefore, the negotiations are watched from the outside with much interest because a successful cease-fire will notably reduce tension in the region and prevent further escalation of the conflict. The situation in Gaza and Lebanon is rather interlinked, and so processes of setting up a sustainable peace face quite definite diplomatic obstacles requiring much hard work to overcome.

Yet, the U.S. does hold onto hope, as Matthew Miller reports they still pursue the chance to reach an agreement: “We hope that we can get there,” said Miller in a statement reflecting the cautious yet intent approach taken by diplomats from the United States toward peace in Lebanon amidst war.

While the next 36 hours might be crucial, the path to a ceasefire remains unclear at best, while all eyes are now turned towards an announcement by world leaders and a response from key regional players.