Israel and Hezbollah Agree to US and France-backed Ceasefire

 

A ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah came into effect on Wednesday following an announcement by U.S. President Joe Biden. Both Israel and Hezbollah agreed to the ceasefire, which was brokered by the United States and France.

Gunfire could be heard in Beirut after the ceasefire began, though it was unclear whether the shooting was celebratory or a warning to residents about evacuation orders issued by Israel’s military.

Following the ceasefire, streams of cars filled with people displaced by Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon began returning to the area, as reported by Reuters.

This ceasefire aims to end the violent conflict along the Israeli-Lebanese border, which has resulted in thousands of deaths since it escalated after the Gaza war last year.

The ceasefire, which took effect at 0200 GMT on Wednesday, was confirmed after Israel’s security cabinet approved it in a 10-1 vote. Biden announced that fighting would stop at 4 a.m. local time, adding that the agreement was intended as a permanent cessation of hostilities.

“This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” Biden said. “What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.”

As part of the agreement, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over the next 60 days, with Lebanon’s army taking control of territories near the Israeli border to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its infrastructure there. Biden also noted that civilians on both sides would soon be able to return safely to their homes.

Hezbollah has not yet formally commented on the ceasefire, but senior official Hassan Fadlallah expressed support for the Lebanese state’s extended authority while emphasizing that the group would emerge stronger from the conflict. Fadlallah, a member of Lebanon’s parliament, also stated, “Thousands will join the resistance. Disarming the resistance was an Israeli proposal that fell through.”

Iran, a major backer of Hezbollah, welcomed the ceasefire agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the deal on social media, calling it the result of months of efforts in collaboration with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities, along with the United States.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the agreement, and Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib confirmed that at least 5,000 Lebanese troops would be deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces withdrew.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed readiness to implement the ceasefire but warned that Israel would respond forcefully to any violations by Hezbollah. Netanyahu stressed that the ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on its threats from Iran, and give the Israeli military time to rest and replenish supplies.

“In full coordination with the United States, we retain complete military freedom of action. Should Hezbollah violate the agreement or attempt to rearm, we will strike decisively,” Netanyahu stated.

Hezbollah, allied with Hamas, has been significantly weakened during the conflict, with Netanyahu claiming that Israel had set back the group by decades, destroying most of its rockets, missiles, and terror infrastructure near the border.

A senior U.S. official revealed that the U.S. and France would collaborate with the UNIFIL peacekeeping force and Lebanon’s army to deter any violations of the ceasefire. While U.S. combat forces would not be deployed, Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer confirmed that Washington would remain vigilant for any attempts to disrupt the agreement.

Biden, whose presidency is nearing its end, also stated that his administration would continue working on securing a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza and pushing for a normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.