U.S. says Middle East ceasefire deal may be close

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – U.S. officials say they’re optimistic about a ceasefire that would stop at least some of the fighting in the Middle East.

An agreement between Israel and the group Hezbollah in Lebanon could come within days the Israeli ambassador says.

Israel’s cabinet is supposed to meet Tuesday to discuss the ceasefire deal with Hezbollah.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is at a meeting of foreign leaders hoping for a deal.

 “We’re standing together…hoping to bring a lasting peace to the Middle East,” said Blinken.

Hamas’s October 7th terror attack on Israel killed 1200 people.  Since then, Israel has fought Iran-backed groups on two fronts-Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged rocket attacks since October 8^th, escalating into an all-out war over the last two months even as the parties inched closer to a ceasefire.

“500 rockets rained down on innocent families, schools and homes,” said Israeli U.N. Representative Danny Danon.

Fighting in Lebanon has killed 3500 people according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

In Israel rockets, drones and missiles killed 87 soldiers and 50 civilians according to the Israeli government.

U.S. officials are less optimistic about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas despite months of trying.

More than 400 days into the war some families of hostages taken on October 7^th blame Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dragging his feet.

“It is because of Netanyahu our 101 loved ones are still held captive in Gaza,” said father of kidnapped soldier Yehuda Cohen.

Israel’s fighting with Hamas has killed 44,000 people according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The world’s top war-crimes court has issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu, accusing Israel of starving Gaza’s population.

The U.S. State Department says it doesn’t agree with that assessment.