Israeli cabinet to vote on Hezbollah ceasefire deal after Netanyahu approves it 'in principle': Report

The Israeli cabinet will vote on a ceasefire deal with Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah on Tuesday (Nov. 26), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesperson told CNN. 

This comes after a source said that the Israeli prime minister had approved the ceasefire plan "in principle". 

The source said that Netanyahu approved an 'in principle' ceasefire deal with Hezbollah during a security consultation with Israeli officials on Sunday night.

The Israeli cabinet will vote on the proposed deal on Tuesday and said it is expected to pass, Netanyahu's spokesperson told CNN. 

Also read: Israeli PM Netanyahu approves 'in principle' ceasefire deal with Hezbollah: Report

Moreover, on Monday evening, a Lebanese official familiar with the talks said a ceasefire is expected to be announced "within 24 hours". 

Earlier, sources familiar with the negotiations said that the talks are moving in a positive direction, further acknowledging that as Israel and Hezbollah continue to trade fire, one misstep could impact the talks.

'Big Mistake'

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called the deal a "big mistake" and said it would be "a historic missed opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah."

Benny Gantz, who resigned from Israel's war cabinet over Netanyahu's handling of the Gaza war, called on the Israeli PM to make the details of the ceasefire deal public. 

“It is the right of the residents of the north, the fighters, and the citizens of Israel to know,” Gantz said.

Watch | Israel-Gaza War: Israel Strikes South Beirut, Hezbollah Responds With Rockets

He further criticised the proposal for a truce between Israel and Hezbollah, saying that Israel must maintain immediate freedom of action against Hezbollah. 

“The idea that we will report to the committee and only then take action is fundamentally flawed, as Hezbollah can burn our intelligence sources and move the means of warfare,” Gantz posted on X. 

He added, "It is impossible to speak in terms of a ‘temporary ceasefire.’ Withdrawing forces now will create a dynamic that will make it difficult for us, and make it easier for Hezbollah to regroup." 

“We have paid so much — in the blood of our fighters, in the wounded, in the many days, reservists have given to fighting, in budgets and armaments. The residents of the north have been evacuated for over a year, and those who live on the second line [of villages close to the border] are staying in bomb shelters,” he said.

“We must not do only half the job. We must not miss the opportunity for a strong agreement that will fundamentally change the situation in the north,” Gantz further wrote.

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(With inputs from agencies)