Ceasefire: Biden welcomes “a new beginning” for Lebanon

Announcing the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah after months of hostilities, Joe Biden spoke of “a new beginning” for Lebanon and called for an end to the war in the Strip. Gaza. “This is a permanent cessation of hostilities,” declared the American president during an intervention in the Rose Garden of the White House. “What remains of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten Israel’s security again. »

“Just like the people of Lebanon, the people of Gaza deserve a future of security and prosperity. They too deserve an end to the fighting and population displacements. The people of Gaza have been through hell,” he added, blaming Hamas for the lack of progress toward a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Hamas has refused for months to negotiate in good faith a ceasefire and a release of the hostages. Hamas must now make a choice. His only way out is to free the hostages, including American citizens, he is holding. »

After the Israeli cabinet voted in favor of the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would strike again if the Lebanese militant group violated the agreement which is due to take effect at 4 a.m. Wednesday . Despite ongoing negotiations, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensified on Tuesday.

Netanyahu spoke on the phone with Biden during the day. According to a statement from his office, he thanked the president “for the involvement of the United States in reaching the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and for understanding that Israel will retain its freedom of action in its implementation”.

(Photo Bloomberg)