Israeli media reported that US envoy Amos Hochstein held "constructive" talks in Israel after arriving from Lebanon, where he confirmed that progress had been made in the ceasefire negotiations. While the Lebanese Hezbollah party confirmed that the negotiations "will take place under two roofs": stopping the aggression and preserving Lebanese sovereignty, Israel is sticking to its conditions before agreeing to any agreement.

Yesterday, Wednesday, Hochstein held talks with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, which Israeli media described as constructive, and confirmed that the American envoy will continue his talks this morning, Thursday, and will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hochstein arrived in Israel after a round of talks in Lebanon, during which he met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and said afterwards that the atmosphere was positive and that there was progress.

For his part, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that his country continues to make progress towards reaching a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, and confirmed that Hochstein will discuss in Israel the broad outlines of a possible agreement to end the war that has claimed more than 3,500 lives on the Lebanese side.

"What we've seen is that Israel has achieved a number of important objectives," Miller told reporters at the State Department. "We've seen Israel, over the last couple of months, be very effective in clearing out Hezbollah's infrastructure near the border, and that's why we believe we're in a place where we can now reach a diplomatic solution."

On the other hand, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said that the party presented its observations on the American proposal for a ceasefire, and indicated in a speech yesterday that the party will remain in the field whether the negotiations succeed or not.

Qassem stressed that the negotiations will take place under two roofs: stopping the aggression and preserving Lebanese sovereignty, "meaning that the Israeli enemy has no right to violate, kill, or enter whenever it wants under different pretexts," stressing that "Israel cannot defeat us and impose its conditions on us."

Qassem's speech came after Israeli statements confirming that any agreement must guarantee Israel "freedom of action" against Hezbollah.

Israeli condition

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said that the condition for any political settlement with Lebanon is "preserving intelligence capabilities and the right of the army to act to protect the security of Israeli citizens from Hezbollah attacks."

"We have worked with the Americans, and we are in contact with them about a possible arrangement in Lebanon," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said in a speech to ambassadors in Jerusalem. "Based on the fact that Hochstein is in the region, you can conclude that the Americans believe that such an arrangement is possible," he added.

Although Sa'ar claimed that Israel wanted to reach an agreement that "stands the test of time," he reiterated his country's commitment to the freedom to attack targets in Lebanon even after reaching an agreement, adding, "We must also impose that Hezbollah cannot rebuild its strength in Lebanon, and cannot manufacture ammunition and missiles or bring them from Iran through Syria by sea and through the airport (in Beirut) in any way."

Last Thursday, US Ambassador to Beirut Lisa Johnson presented Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri with a 13-point plan that stipulates a 60-day truce and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south.

If the ceasefire holds, Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold negotiations within 60 days on the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, issued 18 years ago.

The resolution gives sole authority to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping forces in areas south of the Litani River, which is about 30 kilometres from the border with Israel.