Ceasefire In Israel-Hezbollah War To Take Effect
AFP/APP
Jerusalem: U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will take effect early Wednesday, marking a significant shift in the conflict.
The ceasefire, which was approved by Israel’s security cabinet, will begin at 4:00 AM local time (0200 GMT). Biden hailed the agreement as a “new start” for Lebanon and emphasized its potential to create a “lasting calm” in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who expressed gratitude for Biden’s mediation, stated that the ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on Hamas in Gaza and counter Iran’s growing influence in the region. He confirmed that Israel would maintain the right to defend itself and respond to any threats during the ceasefire.
The ceasefire deal is backed by the U.S., France, the European Union, the United Nations, and the G7, after over a year of intense cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale war in Lebanon.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Lebanese military will assume control over the southern border area, and Hezbollah and other groups deemed to pose a security threat to Israel will be restricted. While the deal is seen as a step toward stability, Netanyahu warned that the length of the ceasefire would depend on conditions in Lebanon.
The truce follows some of the heaviest Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, including an attack on the Nweiri neighborhood, which killed several people. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli air raids continued on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
In Lebanon, Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire as a necessary step toward peace but called for international pressure to ensure its full implementation. Meanwhile, some Israeli officials, including far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, opposed the deal, arguing it was a missed opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah.
This ceasefire could also influence the broader Middle East dynamics, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggesting that de-escalation in Lebanon could help in efforts to end the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with ongoing Israeli airstrikes, including one that hit a school sheltering displaced Palestinians, killing at least 22 people. The toll of the Gaza conflict continues to rise, with over 44,000 deaths reported in the Palestinian territory.
