The United States and Lebanon have requested that Israel temporarily cease attacks against Hezbollah before peace talks between Israel and Lebanon begin, according to an Axios report on Friday.
Citing two sources with knowledge of the issue, Axios reported that Lebanon had made the request through US mediators, describing a pause in fighting as a potential Israeli "gesture" to Lebanon.
Some Israeli officials support the proposal, according to Axios, believing it is in Israel's interest to pause the fighting if it means negotiations can begin.
According to Axios, Lebanon has suggested a return to the principles of the November 2024 ceasefire as a basis for the requested pause, with Israel responding only to "imminent threats" from Hezbollah
The report said that the request was still under review by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with US officials already agreeing to the move and pushing Israel to do the same.
Despite the potential political fallout, Netanyahu may agree to a short pause, Axios reported, citing an unnamed Israeli official who insisted there is no ceasefire currently in place.
Lebanon: US to mediate talks
The reported request follows a statement issued earlier on Friday by the Lebanese Presidency Media Office on X/Twitter, stating that the US State Department will be the mediator for talks between Lebanon and Israel.
The statement further noted that a phone call had already taken place on Friday evening between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the US, during which the parties agreed to hold their first meeting on Tuesday. The US Ambassador to Lebanon participated in the call.