Ceasefire Agreement Between Hezbollah and Israel to End Year-Long Conflict
- A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel began at 4:00 AM local time on Wednesday.
- The ceasefire aims to end the conflict that has displaced tens of thousands of Israelis and hundreds of thousands of others in Lebanon.
- President Joe Biden, includes an initial 60-day halt to hostilities.
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A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel began at 4:00 AM local time on Wednesday. This agreement comes after more than a year of fighting that resulted in the deaths of thousands. The ceasefire was reached with support from the United States.
End of the Conflict
The ceasefire aims to end the conflict that has displaced tens of thousands of Israelis and hundreds of thousands of others in Lebanon.
Agreement Details
The ceasefire, announced by U.S. President Joe Biden, includes an initial 60-day halt to hostilities. Israel will use this time to gradually withdraw its forces. The Lebanese army will then take up positions near the Israeli border to ensure that Hezbollah does not re-establish its military presence there. In return, Hezbollah is required to withdraw north of the Litani River.
An international group led by the U.S. will monitor compliance with the agreement.
Continued Clashes
Despite the ceasefire, fighting continued late into the night. Hezbollah fighters stated they launched drones at military targets in Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, the Israeli army ordered the evacuation of troops from Beirut. Just before the ceasefire started, airstrikes were reported in southern suburbs of Beirut.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a televised address that the duration of the ceasefire will depend on Hezbollah’s actions. If Hezbollah attempts to rearm, it will be viewed as a violation of the agreement. Netanyahu emphasized that the Israeli military had pushed Hezbollah back significantly.
U.S. Response
President Joe Biden expressed hope that the ceasefire could lead to lasting peace in the Middle East, including an end to the conflict in Gaza, where Israeli forces are still engaged with Hamas.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed this sentiment, indicating that Hamas aimed to draw in additional actors to prolong fighting. Blinken assured that the Biden administration is working with Donald Trump’s transition team to implement the agreement for Lebanon. Reports indicate that Trump’s team was informed of the agreement and endorsed it.
Further Reactions
Israeli officials have voiced strong opinions on the ceasefire, including a statement from Ben-Gvir, who called it a “historical mistake.” He stressed that Israel would respond firmly to any attempts by Hezbollah to attack.