Leaked document outlines Lebanon-Israel cease-fire, might be reached in 'hours or days'

A leaked document, purportedly of the Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire proposal drawn up by senior US presidential advisor Amos Hochstein, was published by Israel's public broadcaster Kan on Wednesday.

The document emerged as Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Naijb Mikati, expressed optimism that a cease-fire could be reached "hours or days" after speaking on the phone with Hochstein.  

“We are doing everything we can and we should remain optimistic that in the coming hours or days, we will have a ceasefire,” Mikati told Al Jadeed TV.

The document, dated Oct. 29, outlines a multiphase process, the first phase being a 60-day implementation period during which the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will deploy to the Lebanon-Israel border and work to disarm Hezbollah.  

Israel’s military will withdraw from Lebanon within seven days of a cessation of hostilities and be replaced by the LAF. United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers will aid in the transition.  

The document also outlines the creation of the International (or Independent, per the document) Monitoring and Enforcement Mechanism, or IMEM, “for the purpose of monitoring implementation of the cessation of hostilities and related commitments.”  

The IMEM will be chaired by the United States, and other members will include Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, UNIFIL and regional countries. 

Additionally, Israel may respond to threats from Lebanese territory, and if Lebanon’s government or the IMEM does not address weapons shipments or production, Israel can conduct strikes.  

In response to the reports circulating regarding the leak, White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett did not deny the authenticity of the draft but said, “There are many reports and drafts circulating. They do not reflect the current state of negotiations.” 

The leak comes just one day before Hochstein and Brett McGurk, another senior advisor to President Biden, are set to arrive in Israel on Thursday to push for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah. 

Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem on Wednesday said the group would agree to a ceasefire with Israel under acceptable terms, but added that a viable deal has yet to be presented.

"If the Israelis decide that they want to stop the aggression, we say we accept, but under the conditions that we see as appropriate and suitable," Qassem said in a pre-recorded speech, his first since he was named the group's new leader.

Meanwhile, CIA chief William Burns is in the region to negotiate a Gaza cease-fire and hostage-release deal. On Wednesday Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, quoted a source privy to the talks as confirming that Burns will travel to Egypt tomorrow. The CIA chief met in Doha Sunday with Mossad chief David Barnea and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani.