Rubio pushes Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal, announcement possible Tuesday: Reports

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading efforts for "consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon", with a potential breakthrough expected as early as Tuesday, according to Lebanese media.

"If these efforts succeed, that will be announced after the Tuesday negotiations session" between Lebanese and Israeli diplomats, Lebanon news outlet LBCI television reported on Monday.

The Donald Trump administration has proposed a new ceasefire initiative to Israel and Lebanon, as part of its efforts to de-escalate fighting that has renewed following weeks of reduced conflict, and as a larger motivation to reach a deal with Iran, multiple media outlets have reported.

Rubio spoke over the last 48 hours with both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to try and push forward the new ceasefire initiative, Axios reported on Monday, citing an unnamed US official.

The outlet also confirmed that a Lebanese official confirmed Rubio raised the initiative with Joseph Aon, the country's president.

Why did Israel capture Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon after 44 years?

On Saturday, the Israeli military announced that Israeli soldiers had captured the strategic hilltop crowned by the Crusader castle of Beaufort in southern Lebanon, near the city of Nabatiyeh.

"Forty-four years after the heroic Battle of Beaufort, our troops have returned to the summit and raised the Israeli flag," Defence Minister Israel Katz said.

Israel's actions have been condemned by European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Macron yesterday said that "nothing justifies the major escalation underway in south Lebanon", calling for an end to fighting "for good".

In a message on X after speaking with regional leaders, he said it was "essential" for an agreement to be reached quickly between the United States and Iran.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also called for an end to the operation, noting that the military advance is "eroding space for diplomacy."

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also said in a statement yesterday that the Israeli army's push further into southern Lebanon is cause for serious concern, urging all sides to cease hostilities.

Lebanese state media, the National News Agency (NNA), on Sunday reported that Israel had contacted the mayor of Loubiyeh to evacuate the town of its residents. Earlier too, urgent evacuation calls were reported in multiple Southern Lebanese towns.

Starting from 1982, when it invaded Lebanon against the Palestine Liberation Organisation under 'Operation Galilee' till it was forced to withdraw in 2000 by the Iran-backed Hezbollah, Israel had occupied South Lebanon for nearly 20 years.

(With inputs from ANI)