 "Biden announces Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, fighting halts for 60 days in Lebanon")
President of the United States Joe Biden announced a much-anticipated ceasefire to the 14-month-long war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. The agreement brokered by the US and France came into effect on Wednesday morning (02.00 GMT, 7.30 am IST). Biden made the announcement in a televised address from the White House hours after the Benjamin Netanyahu Cabinet approved the deal in Israel.
Biden called it a “historic” moment. He said, “Under the deal reached today, effective at 4 am tomorrow (Wednesday), local time, the fighting across the Lebanese Israeli border will end.”
Biden said that as and when the ceasefire comes into effect, there will be a “permanent cessation of hostilities.”
“This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities. What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations will not be allowed, I emphasise, will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again,” he said.
“Today’s announcement is a critical step… and so I applaud the courageous decision made by the leaders of Lebanon and Israel to end the violence. It reminds us that peace is possible. Say that again, peace is possible,” he further said.
Biden went on to say that the US troops would not be committed to the border between Israel and Lebanon, but that “we, along with France and others, will provide the necessary assistance to make sure this deal is implemented fully and effectively.”
The ceasefire was approved by Israel’s security Cabinet late on Tuesday in a 10-1 vote. The statement from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office highlighted that while Israel values the US contribution, it reserves the right to act if security threats arise.
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View AllIsrael-Hezbollah fighting halts for 60 days
Biden, in his address from the Rose Garden said that Israel did not launch this war, but the people of Lebanon did not seek this war either, nor did the US. “I directed my teams to work with the governments of Israel and Lebanon to forge a ceasefire to bring the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah to a close,” he said.
Happening Now: President Biden delivers remarks from the Rose Garden. https://t.co/vTjrdxGA0l
— The White House 46 Archived (@WhiteHouse46) November 26, 2024
“Over the next 60 days, the Lebanese Army and state security forces will deploy and take control of their own territory once again. Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure inside Lebanon will not be allowed to be rebuilt. Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces… The US, with the full support of France and our other allies, has pledged to work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure that this agreement is fully implemented.”
What if Hezbollah breaks the deal?
Though Hezbollah has accepted the ceasefire deal in principle, it is yet to review the final agreement. A report by Al Jazeera quoted deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council as saying that the the group would review the signed agreement to ensure it aligns with the terms communicated by Lebanese officials.
He also said that any violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty would not be tolerated.
Also Read: Israel has pushed Hezbollah 'decades back', says Netanyahu as ceasefire deal with Lebanon sealed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also warned that his country reserves the right to resume military operations if Hezbollah breaches the ceasefire.
Biden, meanwhile, said that if Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal and poses a direct threat to Israel, then Israel retains the right to self-defence consistent with the national law.
The US President further said that Hamas, an Iran-backed terrorist group in Gaza, has refused for months to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage deal. “Hamas now has a choice to make. Their only way out is to release the hostages including American citizens which they hold… In the coming days, the US will make another push with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and others to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza,” Biden said.
Netanyahu thanks Biden
The Israeli prime minister’s office, in a post on social media platform X, said that Netanyahu spoke with Biden on Tuesday evening and thanked him for the US involvement in achieving the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and for the “understanding that Israel maintains freedom of action in enforcing it.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with US President Joe Biden and thanked him for the US involvement in achieving the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and for the understanding that Israel maintains freedom of action in enforcing it.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 26, 2024
The Biden administration hopes the ceasefire will help pave the way for a lasting peace, after months of escalating violence that has killed over 3,000 Lebanese and 70 Israelis, and displaced hundreds of thousands in both countries.
The ceasefire deal includes a 60-day halt in hostilities during which the Israeli troops will retreat from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah is expected to withdraw its fighters north of the Litani River.
During the transition phase, the Lebanese army will deploy to the buffer border zone alongside the existing UN peacekeeping force.
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