ISRAELI forces launched more strikes on two towns in Lebanon’s historic Baalbek region, killing at least 19 people, including eight women.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati says he hopes a ceasefire deal with Israel will be announced in the coming hours or days as United States’ envoy Amos Hochstein travels to Tel Aviv for talks.
Mikati said he became more optimistic about the possibility of a truce after speaking on Wednesday with the United States envoy for the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, who was due to travel to Israel on Thursday.
“Hochstein, during his call with me, suggested to me that we could reach an agreement before the end of the month and before November 5,” Mikati told Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television, referring to the date of the US election.
“We are doing everything we can, and we should remain optimistic that in the coming hours or days, we will have a ceasefire,” Mikati said, adding that he was “cautiously optimistic”.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan published what it said was a leaked proposal written by Washington in which Israel would withdraw its forces from Lebanon within the first week of a proposed 60-day ceasefire.
The Reuters news agency obtained similar details regarding the proposal from two sources familiar with the matter.
Asked to comment on the leak, White House national security spokesperson Sean Savett said: “There are many reports and drafts circulating. They do not reflect the current state of negotiations.”
Kan reported that the draft had been presented to Israel’s leaders. Israeli officials did not immediately comment.
Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from Beirut, said Mikati’s announcement on the possibility of a truce also came with caveats.
“He said that a ceasefire should come with American guarantees. But what that means remains to be seen. And he said that the Lebanese military will need additional hardware, additional weapons and logistical equipment as well,” Stratford said.
