BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Oct 29 (Reuters) – U.S. negotiators are developing a plan to de-escalate the ongoing conflict between Israel’s forces and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, starting with a proposed two-month ceasefire, said two informed sources to Reuters on Wednesday.

According to the sources—a person familiar with the negotiations and a senior diplomat involved with Lebanon—the 60-day period would aim to ensure the complete execution of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which was established in 2006 to maintain a weapons-free southern Lebanon that is not under the Lebanese state’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon did not provide immediate feedback when contacted for comments.

Resolution 1701 has been pivotal in discussions to conclude last year’s conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified alongside the recent Gaza war over the past five weeks.

Amos Hochstein, the U.S. presidential envoy working on this new initiative, mentioned to reporters in Beirut earlier this month that there is a need for improved enforcement mechanisms since neither side has fully complied with the resolution.

The senior diplomat and the informed source noted that the recent truce plan of 60 days has succeeded a previous U.S. proposal last month for a 21-day ceasefire, which was meant to lay the groundwork for the full enforcement of Resolution 1701.

However, both sources warned that the agreement could still be in jeopardy. “There is a serious effort to establish a ceasefire, but actualization remains challenging,” the diplomat stated.

The informed source also mentioned that Israel remains adamant about having the ability to implement “direct enforcement” of the ceasefire, which may include airstrikes or other military actions against Hezbollah if the terms are breached.

According to Israeli media, Channel 12, Israel is pursuing a reinforced version of U.N. Resolution 1701 to enable intervention if it perceives a threat to its security.

As of now, Lebanese officials have not received any formal briefing regarding the proposal and therefore cannot comment on its specifics.

The effort to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon coincides with the upcoming U.S. presidential election and aligns with concurrent diplomatic efforts regarding Gaza.

Axios has reported that Hochstein and U.S. presidential advisor Brett McGurk are scheduled to arrive in Israel on Thursday to advance discussions for the Lebanon ceasefire, which may be enacted within weeks, according to three unnamed insiders.

They are anticipated to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, as per the Axios report.

Israeli and U.S. officials believe that Hezbollah might finally be ready to separate itself from Hamas in Gaza, following several setbacks the Lebanese group has encountered over the past two months, including the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah, according to Axios.

The U.S. State Department has not responded promptly to a request for comments.