Permanent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah set to begin on Wednesday year-long conflict between the Jewish state and Iran-backed groups.
President Biden announces the deal, brokered by France and the United States
“With today’s agreement, which takes effect at 4 a.m. local time tomorrow, the fighting on the border between Lebanon and Israel will end,” Biden said in the White House Rose Garden.
“This is aimed at a permanent cessation of hostilities,” he added. “I stress that the remnants of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten Israel’s security again.”
In October 2023, Israel launched a large-scale retaliatory military operation in the Gaza Corridor in response to the terrorist attacks launched by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas in the Jewish state. Since then, Middle East neighbors have continued to exchange fire.
“Over the next 60 days, the Lebanese military and national security forces will deploy and take control of their own territory,” Biden said. “Over the next 60 days, Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces.”
“Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities and begin rebuilding their homes, schools, farms, businesses and lives,” the outgoing president said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised speech that he supported the ceasefire and would submit it to his cabinet for approval.
“The ceasefire allows us to focus on the Iranian threat,” Netanyahu said. “We will complete the mission of eliminating Hamas and repatriating all hostages and residents of the north.”
On November 26, 2024, Beirut, Lebanon, Israel launched multiple air strikes on downtown Beirut. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced a ceasefire near Martyrs Square, and people were watching TV.
Ed Lamm | Getty Images
Biden said the United States has no plans to deploy U.S. troops in southern Lebanon.
“This is consistent with my commitment to the American people to keep U.S. troops out of this conflict,” he said. “Instead, we will work with France and other countries to provide the necessary assistance to ensure that this agreement is fully and effectively implemented. “
Hezbollah attributes its hostilities to solidarity with Palestinian civilians, while Israel has invoked the right of self-defence. Cross-border conflict has intensified since the summer, with Israel launching an air strike in late September that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, followed by a ground invasion on October 1.
Hostilities continued on Tuesday amid diplomatic overtures, with Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee announcing in a statement translated by Google that the Jewish state was carrying out a “widespread” attack on Beirut’s Allah Party goals. Social media updates.
On November 26, 2024, Israeli airstrikes caused damage to the Shia community in the Dahiya district south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
Hussam Shibarro | Anadolu | Getty Images
Meanwhile, Hezbollah carried out a missile attack on an infantry training camp in Shavei Tzion in northern Israel, Hezbollah-aligned media outlet Al-Manar reported.
In a speech to the United Nations envoy to Lebanon, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called for the United Nations to “effectively implement” the ceasefire if it is implemented.
In a Google-translated statement issued by his office, he warned that the Jewish state will “act against any threat at any time and at any time” and that “every house rebuilt in southern Lebanon and every house where terrorist bases are established will be demolished, Every house will be demolished”. Terrorist forces and organizations will be attacked, every attempt to smuggle weapons will be thwarted, and every threat to our military or Israeli citizens will be summarily destroyed. “
The international community has widely called for the diplomatic breakthrough and has repeatedly urged a halt to the Gaza offensive to stem the growing humanitarian crisis. Israel and Hamas previously reached a truce that lasted for about a week in November.
According to the Associated Press, the EU’s outgoing foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Italy earlier on Tuesday: “In the proposed deal brokered by the United States and France, Israel has addressed all security concerns. ”
“There is no reason not to implement a ceasefire. Otherwise, Lebanon will collapse.”
