Jerusalem: President Joe Biden is sending two senior American advisers to Israel on Thursday to negotiate an agreement aimed at ending the war in Lebanon and facilitating the return of displaced individuals on both sides of the border.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the American advisers, Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, are tasked with reaching a diplomatic resolution between Israel and “Hezbollah.” Success in these negotiations could lead to a significant de-escalation of the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East, marking a potential turning point since hostilities intensified on October 7.

Israeli and American officials believe that following recent setbacks, including the assassination of Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, the group may now be willing to distance itself from “Hamas” in Gaza. They indicated that a deal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah could potentially be brokered within a matter of weeks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongsid
e ministers and senior military and intelligence leaders, convened on Tuesday evening to deliberate on the proposed deal. Hochstein’s visit is contingent on Israeli leaders’ decision to proceed, suggesting Netanyahu’s inclination towards pursuing an agreement.

The proposed agreement reportedly centers on the re-implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 Lebanon war. Under this plan, a ceasefire would be declared, followed by a 60-day transitional phase. During this period, Hezbollah would relocate its heavy weaponry north of the Litani River, distancing them from the Israeli border, while the Lebanese army would deploy approximately 8,000 troops along the border with Israel to collaborate with UNIFIL peacekeeping forces. Concurrently, Israeli forces would gradually withdraw to their side of the border.