The US says terms for a ceasefire have been agreed to end Israel’s attack on Lebanon

Israel And Lebanon have agreed on the terms of a ceasefire, Axios reported Monday, citing a U.S. official, that could put an end to an Israeli attack that has killed thousands of Lebanese civilians.

Neither side has officially announced an agreement, but Israel’s security cabinet is expected to approve the deal on Tuesday, the US official said.

“We think we have a deal. We are on the goal line, but we have not crossed it yet. The Israeli cabinet must approve the deal on Tuesday and until then, something can always go wrong,” the US official said.

An Israeli official confirmed that the security cabinet would meet on Tuesday, while four US and Israeli officials said Axios Sunday that a deal was close to being completed.

The Israeli government said Monday it is moving toward a ceasefire with Hezbollah, but there are still certain issues that need to be addressed.

Meanwhile, Lebanese officials conveyed reserved optimism, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying: wanted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanitycannot be trusted.

Lebanese deputy parliament speaker Elias Bou Saab said a decisive moment is approaching, but is not entirely optimistic about an end to the agreement.

“The balance has tilted somewhat towards an agreement, but to a very small extent, because a person like Netanyahu cannot be trusted,” he said.

A second senior Lebanese official spoke on condition of anonymity Reuterssaid Beirut has not received any new Israeli demands from US mediators, describing the atmosphere as positive and saying “things are on track”.

Israel’s ambassador to Washington said a deal could be reached within days. CNN, Citing a source, Netanyahu said Netanyahu had approved the emerging deal “in principle,” but Israel still had reservations about some details.

The developments come as Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Beirut’s southern suburbs.

On Monday, Israel issued new threats of further attacks on buildings in the area and in the southern Lebanese town of Halta, ordering residents to leave.

The forced evacuation orders come a day after Hezbollah launched about 340 rockets and drones toward Tel Aviv, causing severe damage.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 3,754 people and injured another 15,626 since October 7, 2023.

This is a development story.