The US affirms that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah “is close”

MADRID 26 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The White House National Security spokesman, John Kirby, stated this Monday that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Shiite militia party Hezbollah “is close” and has highlighted the “constructive” and “productive” talks with the different parts that the United States special envoy, Amos Hochstein, has maintained.

“We believe we are close and there has been a lot of work done. The conversations that Amos (Hochstein) had in the region were constructive. I would go so far as to say that we believe they were productive,” Kirby said during a press conference.

The spokesperson highlighted that these meetings are going in “a very positive direction.” Despite this, he warned, “nothing is done until everything is done and right now it is not.”

When asked about his announcement and its content, if the agreement is signed, Kirby assured that he will provide more details “as soon as it is practical to do so.” “And when we have something that we can announce and that we can talk about, well, we will do it. (…) But I hope you understand how irresponsible it would be for me, in a press conference, to explain and confirm each of the reports on what is or is not in this agreement,” he said.

Likewise, the White House National Security spokesperson has assured that these negotiations “continue to be a top priority for President” Biden and that the US Government is “actively” participating to “achieve this ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah so that to stop the rockets and missiles and so that people can return to their homes and resume their lives along the Blue Line.”

The Lebanese Government informed Washington more than a week ago that it accepted the latest US proposal for a ceasefire. The United States special envoy met this week with the president of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, designated as negotiator by this country, to try to advance the agreement.

Hochstein has been carrying out mediation tasks for weeks to try to get the parties to reach a ceasefire agreement after more than a year of fighting, intensified by Israel’s decision to begin a new land invasion of the neighboring country on October 1.