FLASH
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US-brokered talks have entered their final phase, with the agreement providing for a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon is expected to be signed within a few hours.
According to international media, the signing is expected to take place this Friday in Washington, between delegations from both countries.
The same sources report that the parties have held intensive talks over the last four days, while on Friday US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also involved in the negotiations.
For its part, Al Jazeera reports that an agreement has been reached for a pilot withdrawal of Israeli forces from two areas, before a full withdrawal at a later stage.
According to Israeli television Channel 12, Israel will remain in the area known as the "Blue Line" until Hezbollah disarms. The pilot operation will take place both in areas outside the "Blue Line" and in areas within it. The Lebanese army will take control and responsibility for these territories.
A senior Israeli official told television that "we will withdraw from the areas we have taken under control only if Hezbollah ceases to be a factor throughout the country. We have the freedom to react to any threat that may arise. We are consolidating our sovereignty internationally in this area as long as there is a threat on our borders."
A senior US official said Marco Rubio held phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Lebanese president on Thursday evening in an attempt to resolve the latest disagreements.
Although the fifth round of talks between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the US, was expected to end on Thursday, negotiations continued on Friday, entering the final phase of reaching an agreement, a US diplomatic spokesman told the French News Agency (AFP).
Meanwhile, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that opposes negotiations with Israel, accused Israel on Thursday of another "flagrant violation" of the ceasefire, after a drone strike that killed at least three people. The Israeli military said the attack targeted Hezbollah fighters.
It is recalled that the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, signed on June 17, expressly provided for the cessation of fighting on the Lebanese front as well, a condition imposed by Tehran.
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