A regional source reports that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is imminent amid rising death tolls in Lebanon

A regional source informed CNN on Sunday that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is “very close,” despite a recent increase in Israeli attacks that has pushed the death toll in Lebanon since mid-September past a tragic threshold.

Since the escalation of hostilities began in mid-September, over 3,000 individuals have lost their lives due to Israeli strikes, highlighting the critical need for a ceasefire.

The source indicated that while progress has been made toward a deal, it has not yet been finalized. Officials from the US and Israel have warned that mediators have not yet received the go-ahead.

“We are making progress in this direction, but there are still several matters to resolve,” stated a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to media.

Recently, Hezbollah has been evaluating a proposal from the US and Israel for a 60-day cessation of hostilities, which some believe could serve as a foundation for a more enduring ceasefire.

Israel initiated a significant military campaign in Lebanon in mid-September, following months of reciprocal border skirmishes that began when Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel in support of Hamas and the Palestinian people in Gaza. Since that time, Israel has conducted a ground invasion, targeted several Hezbollah leaders—including one of its founders, Hassan Nasrallah—and caused injuries to thousands through attacks involving explosive devices.

US envoy Amos Hochstein has been engaged in discussions with regional officials this week in an effort to secure a deal. On Sunday, Axios reporter Barak Ravid reported that a source indicated Hochstein informed the Israeli ambassador to Washington on Saturday that if Israel did not respond favorably to the ceasefire proposal in the coming days, he would cease his mediation efforts.

Earlier on Sunday, an Israeli official informed CNN that Prime Minister Netanyahu had conducted a security consultation regarding the ceasefire proposals.

Rising Casualties

On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 84 individuals and left 213 injured, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry. This includes nearly 30 fatalities from a strike on a multi-story building in a densely populated area of central Beirut.

Since Israel intensified its operations against Hezbollah on September 16, a total of 3,072 individuals have lost their lives, and 13,426 have been injured, according to figures from the Lebanese health ministry.