Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire, marking end of deadly border conflict

Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire brokered by US and France

A ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed group Hezbollah will take effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France, US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday.

The deal marks the end of a prolonged conflict along the Israeli-Lebanese border, which has resulted in thousands of casualties since the fighting erupted last year in the wake of the Gaza war.

Speaking at the White House after Israel’s security cabinet approved the agreement with a 10-1 vote, Biden confirmed that the ceasefire would come into effect at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT). He added that he had spoken to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

The US president described the agreement as a “permanent cessation of hostilities” and emphasized that Hezbollah and other terrorist groups will no longer be allowed to threaten Israel’s security.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces from the region over the next 60 days, while the Lebanese army will take control of the areas near the border to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its infrastructure there. “Civilians on both sides will soon be able to return to their communities safely,” Biden said.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised the signing of the agreement, describing it as the result of months of negotiations with Israeli and Lebanese authorities in close cooperation with the US. Macron’s statement, made on the social media platform X, highlighted the importance of the truce for regional stability.

Lebanon’s Mikati also welcomed the ceasefire, with Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib stating that the Lebanese army would deploy at least 5,000 troops in southern Lebanon to ensure peace as Israeli forces withdraw.

Netanyahu, who faced some opposition from within his coalition government regarding the ceasefire, stressed that the deal would allow Israel to focus on its primary threat—Iran. He also said the suspension of hostilities would enable the Israeli military to rest, replenish its armament stocks, and isolate Hamas, the militant group responsible for sparking the wider conflict.

“We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation,” Netanyahu said. “Together, we will continue until victory.” He also noted that Hezbollah’s position had been significantly weakened throughout the conflict. “We have set it back decades, eliminated its top leaders, destroyed much of its arsenal, and neutralized thousands of its fighters,” he added.

The United Nations’ Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, welcomed the ceasefire, urging both parties to take concrete actions to uphold the agreement. “Now is the time to deliver and consolidate today’s achievement,” she stated.

International leaders have expressed their approval of the ceasefire, calling it a hopeful step toward lasting peace in the region. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock hailed the deal as a “ray of hope” for the region, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a “long overdue” development that could offer relief to civilians on both sides of the border.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen also welcomed the ceasefire, noting that it would bolster Lebanon’s internal security and stability. She expressed optimism that the reduced influence of Hezbollah would allow Lebanon to improve its governance and security situation.

Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah, welcomed the ceasefire as a victory for Lebanon, with foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei expressing Iran’s “firm support for the Lebanese government, nation, and resistance.”

Mikati described the ceasefire as a “fundamental step” toward restoring stability in the region and reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to strengthening its military presence in the south. However, UN officials cautioned that full implementation of the agreement would require unwavering commitment from both parties.

As the ceasefire takes effect, the international community will be closely monitoring its enforcement, with hopes that it could serve as a foundation for long-term peace and stability in the region.

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