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The United States said on Monday that a ceasefire between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel is "close", but cautioned that an agreement had not yet been made following media reports that the Israeli government will meet on Tuesday.

According to Axios, an Israeli official said the Israeli security cabinet is set to convene on Tuesday at 15:30 GMT at the Israeli army headquarters in Tel Aviv to approve the ceasefire deal with Lebanon.

³¢±ð²ú²¹²Ô´Ç²Ô’s MTV also reported on Monday afternoon, citing official sources, that Lebanon has been notified of the ceasefire deal and it will be announced tomorrow evening.

The Reuters news agency said the US proposed truce will be monitored by a five-country committee, chaired by the US and including France.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was speaking during a routine press briefing on Monday and was quizzed by reporters over the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough after months of wrangling.

"We don't believe we have an agreement yet. We believe we're close to an agreement. We believe that we have narrowed the gaps significantly but there are still steps that we need to see taken, but we hope that we can get there," Miller said.

The deal will see the Israeli army withdraw from south Lebanon, and Lebanese army troops deployed within a 60-day period, ³¢±ð²ú²¹²Ô´Ç²Ô’s deputy parliament speaker, Elias Bou Saab, confirmed.

He added there are "no serious obstacles" to implementing the US-proposed truce.

Earlier today, it was announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed on the terms of a truce deal which would end the Israeli onslaught that has killed thousands of Lebanese civilians.

Neither party has officially announced an agreement but the Israeli security cabinet is expected to approve the deal on Tuesday, a US official told Axios.

"We think we have a deal. We are on the goal line but we haven't passed it yet. The Israeli cabinet needs to approve the deal on Tuesday and something can always go wrong until then," the US official said.

An Israeli official confirmed the security cabinet would meet on Tuesday, while four US and Israeli officials told Axios on Sunday that a deal was nearly finalised.

Points of contention still remain however, with Israel insisting it would like the freedom to strike Lebanon at any time under an agreement.

Edging towards a ceasefire

The Israeli government said on Monday they are edging toward a ceasefire with Hezbollah, but there are still certain issues that need to be addressed.

Meanwhile, Lebanese officials conveyed reserved optimism, saying Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted by the ICC on allegations of crimes against humanity, is not to be trusted.

³¢±ð²ú²¹²Ô´Ç²Ô’s deputy Parliament Speaker said a decisive moment was approaching, but is not fully optimistic of an end to the aggressions. 

"The balance is slightly tilted towards there being (an agreement), but by a very small degree, because a person like Netanyahu cannot be trusted," he said.

Israel's ambassador to Washington was also quoted as saying a deal could transpire within days. CNN, citing a source, said Netanyahu had approved the emerging deal "in principle" but Israel still had reservations over some details.

The developments come as Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Beirut’s southern suburbs.

On Monday, Israel issued new threats of further strikes for buildings in the area and in the southern Lebanese town of Halta, ordering residents to leave.

The forced evacuation orders come a day after Hezbollah launched around 340 missiles and drones towards Tel Aviv, causing severe damage.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 3,768 people and wounded an additional 15,699 since 7 October 2023.