A ceasefire agreement brokered by the US and France is holding between Israel and Hezbollah, marking a rare diplomatic victory in a region plagued by prolonged conflicts. The ceasefire, which aims to end the deadly conflict along the Israeli-Lebanese border, is seen as a significant achievement for US diplomacy in the final stages of President Joe Biden’s administration.
Lebanon’s army has been tasked with overseeing the ceasefire and is preparing to deploy in southern Lebanon, a region heavily impacted by Israeli bombings during the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The Lebanese military has urged residents of border villages to delay returning home until Israeli forces, which have advanced about 6 kilometers into Lebanon, complete their withdrawal.
Israel confirmed that it had identified Hezbollah operatives near the border and had opened fire to prevent them from approaching. However, there were no signs that the incident would threaten the fragile ceasefire.
The agreement comes after months of escalating tensions following the outbreak of the Gaza war last year. Thousands of lives have been lost in the conflict, and the ceasefire has brought some relief to both nations. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Israel to fully commit to the deal, calling for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all regions they had occupied. Mikati welcomed the deal, stressing that it was essential to protect Lebanon’s sovereignty.
In Lebanon, the atmosphere was a mixture of cautious optimism and relief. Many residents returned to homes they had fled, while some celebrated the ceasefire by waving national flags and honking car horns. However, much of the infrastructure in the border areas has been heavily damaged by the conflict, leaving many returning to destruction.
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the deal, highlighting months of diplomatic efforts in coordination with US officials. He called the ceasefire a “culmination” of these efforts, adding that it provided hope for resolving other regional conflicts, including in Gaza.
US President Biden hailed the ceasefire, stating that it was intended to be a permanent cessation of hostilities. He stressed that Israel’s security would not be compromised, and Hezbollah would not be allowed to threaten it again. Biden confirmed that Israel would gradually withdraw its forces over 60 days while Lebanon’s army takes control of the border region.
Despite the ceasefire, Hezbollah has yet to issue an official statement. However, senior officials, including Hassan Fadlallah, have expressed support for the extension of Lebanese state authority while insisting that the group would emerge stronger from the conflict.
In addition to the ceasefire in Lebanon, US officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, indicated that President Biden would now turn his attention to securing a ceasefire in Gaza and pushing for a hostage release deal. This move is expected to further influence regional diplomacy, including efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.