Israel and Hezbollah Agree to Ceasefire Brokered by U.S. and France

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A ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group is set to take effect on Wednesday after both sides agreed to a deal brokered by the United States and France. Announced by U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday, the agreement seeks to end months of deadly conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border, sparked by last year’s Gaza war.

The ceasefire, which will take effect at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT), was approved by Israel’s security cabinet in a 10-1 vote. Biden, speaking from the White House, emphasized the deal as a step toward long-term peace. “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.”

Under the agreement, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon over the next 60 days. The Lebanese army, supported by at least 5,000 troops, will assume control of areas near the Israeli border to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military infrastructure. Biden also stated that civilians on both sides would soon be able to return to their homes safely.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised the deal on social media, calling it “the culmination of months of collaborative efforts with the Israeli and Lebanese authorities.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and expressed optimism for its implementation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced cautious optimism about the ceasefire, acknowledging opposition from within his coalition government. “We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory,” Netanyahu said. He highlighted that the ceasefire would enable Israel to focus on other strategic concerns, including the threat from Iran, replenishing military supplies, and isolating Hamas, the Gaza-based militant group that initiated last year’s war.

Netanyahu underscored the significant toll on Hezbollah during the conflict, stating, “We have set it back decades, eliminated its top leaders, destroyed most of its rockets and missiles, neutralized thousands of fighters, and obliterated years of terror infrastructure near our border.” However, critics of the agreement, including Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, questioned its effectiveness, arguing that the Lebanese army lacks the capacity to prevent Hezbollah from rearming.

Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have emphasized the return of displaced civilians to southern Lebanon as a critical component of the truce. Many families, displaced for months by the conflict, expressed cautious hope.

Despite the announcement, tensions persisted in the hours leading up to the ceasefire. Israeli airstrikes continued in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah’s financial systems, while Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets into Israel. The Israeli military reported intercepting three missile launches on Tuesday night, activating warning sirens in 115 settlements.

A poll by Israel’s Channel 12 TV revealed divided public opinion, with 37% of Israelis supporting the ceasefire and 32% opposing it. Opposition leaders and northern Israeli community heads have expressed concerns over security, advocating for a buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

The ceasefire agreement has drawn international attention, with the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, commending the efforts. A senior U.S. official stated that the U.S., France, and UNIFIL peacekeeping forces would work with the Lebanese army to deter potential violations, though no U.S. combat forces would be deployed.

As the ceasefire takes effect, Biden reiterated his administration’s commitment to pursuing broader peace efforts, including a ceasefire in Gaza and a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The agreement represents a critical step toward stability, but the challenge of maintaining peace and addressing underlying tensions remains.