Full text: The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah

Here is the text of the agreement that allowed a ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah early this Wednesday at dawn. An almost identical text was first published by the United Arab Emirates’ English daily The National. (A widely circulated “side letter” laying out U.S. commitments to Israel was not viewed by The Times of Israel or published elsewhere, but some of its contents, as reported by the N12 channel, shown at the bottom of this article).

Announcement of a cessation of hostilities and related commitments regarding enhanced security arrangements and the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701

After having discussed with the governments of the Republic of Lebanon (hereinafter “Lebanon”) and the State of Israel (hereinafter “Israel”), the United States of America and France understand that the Lebanon and Israel seek a lasting end to the current escalation of hostilities on both sides of the Blue Line and are both prepared to take steps to promote the conditions for a permanent and comprehensive solution.

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These agreements reflect the steps Israel and Lebanon have committed to taking to fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, recognizing that this resolution also calls for the full implementation of previous Council resolutions. UN Security Council, including the “disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon”, such that the only forces authorized to carry weapons in Lebanon will be the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), the Internal Security Forces, the Directorate security General Directorate of State Security, Lebanese Customs and the Municipal Police (hereinafter “the official military and security forces of Lebanon”).

To this end, the United States and France consider the following:

1. Israel and Lebanon will implement a cessation of hostilities effective 04:00 (IST/EET), November 27, 2024, in accordance with the commitments detailed below.
2. As of 04:00 (IST/EET), November 27, 2024, the Lebanese government will prevent Hezbollah and all other armed groups on Lebanese territory from carrying out operations against Israel, and Israel will not carry out offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military or other State targets, on Lebanese territory, by land, air or sea.
3. Israel and Lebanon recognize the importance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 in achieving lasting peace and security and commit to taking steps towards its full implementation, without violation.
4. These commitments do not prevent either Israel or Lebanon from exercising their natural right to self-defense, in accordance with international law.
5. Without prejudice to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its responsibilities, or the commitments made under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and its predecessor resolutions, the military forces and official security forces, infrastructure and weaponry of Lebanon will be the only armed groups, weapons and related materials deployed in the southern Litani area indicated in the attached LAF deployment plan (hereinafter referred to as ” the southern area of ​​the Litani”).
6. In accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and its predecessor resolutions, in order to prevent the re-establishment and rearmament of non-state armed groups in Lebanon, any sale or supply of arms and related materiel to Lebanon will be regulated and controlled by the Lebanese government. Furthermore, any production of weapons and related materials in Lebanon will be regulated and controlled by the Lebanese government.
7. In order to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, and upon the commencement of the cessation of hostilities in accordance with paragraph 1, the Lebanese Government will grant all necessary authorizations, including freedom of movement, to the forces official military and security authorities of Lebanon, and will instruct them, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and its predecessors, to:

has. Monitor and suppress any unauthorized entry of weapons and related materials into Lebanon and the entire country, including through all border crossing points, as well as the unauthorized production of weapons and materials on Lebanese territory .

b. Starting with the southern Litani area, dismantle all existing unauthorized facilities involved in the production of weapons and related materiel, and prevent the creation of such facilities in the future.

c. Starting with the southern Litani area, dismantle all military infrastructure and positions and confiscate all unauthorized weapons that do not comply with these commitments.

8. The United States and France intend to work within the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (CTM4L) to enable and achieve a total LAF deployment of 10,000 troops in southern Lebanon as soon as possible. Additionally, the United States and France intend to work with the international community to support the LAF appropriately to increase their deployment levels in Lebanon and improve their capabilities.

9. Upon the commencement of the cessation of hostilities in accordance with paragraph 1, and without prejudice to UNIFIL, its mandate and responsibilities under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and resolutions thereunder. preceded, Israel and Lebanon decide, in coordination with UNIFIL, to reformulate and strengthen the tripartite mechanism (hereinafter referred to as “the Mechanism”). The reformulated and strengthened mechanism, hosted by UNIFIL, chaired by the United States and including France, will monitor, verify and help ensure the implementation of these commitments.

has. Israel and Lebanon will cooperate with the mechanism, facilitate its work and ensure their security.

b. The mechanism will work with the CTM4L to strengthen the capacity and training of the LAF to inspect and dismantle unauthorized sites and infrastructure, above and below ground, confiscate unauthorized weapons and prevent the presence of armed groups unauthorized.

c. In parallel with the work of the Mechanism, UNIFIL will continue its activities within the framework of its mandate, including the efforts it supports through its convening role and which enhance the effectiveness of the Mechanism.

10. Israel and Lebanon will report any alleged violations to the Mechanism and to UNIFIL, without prejudice to their respective rights to communicate directly with the United Nations Security Council. The mechanism will develop appropriate procedures to consult, inspect, collect information and help ensure compliance with these commitments.

11. Upon the commencement of the cessation of hostilities in accordance with paragraph 1, Lebanon will deploy its official military and security forces at all borders and at all regulated and unregulated crossing points of the land, air and sea borders. In addition, the LAF will deploy forces, set up roadblocks and checkpoints on all roads and bridges along the line demarcating the southern Litani area.

12. From the start of the cessation of hostilities in accordance with paragraph 1, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line and, at the same time, the LAF will deploy to the positions in the southern Litani area indicated in the attached LAF deployment plan and will begin fulfilling their obligations under the commitments, including the dismantling of unauthorized sites and infrastructure and the confiscation of unauthorized weapons and related material. The mechanism will coordinate the execution by the Israeli army and the LAF of the specific and detailed phased withdrawal and deployment plan in these areas, which should not exceed 60 days.

13. Israel and Lebanon request that the United States – with the partnership of the United Nations – facilitate indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon with the aim of resolving the remaining disputed points along the Blue Line, in accordance with Resolution 1701 .

The United States and France understand that the above commitments will be accepted by Israel and Lebanon concurrently with this announcement.

These commitments aim to enable civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their lands and homes. The United States and France further intend to lead international efforts to support capacity building and economic development throughout Lebanon to promote stability and prosperity in this region.

Reported content of a US “parallel letter”

Channel N12 published what it described as details of a
“parallel letter” of assurances that the United States provides to Israel, in which the United States would affirm and detail Israel’s right to defend itself against new threats.

According to the document, the United States undertakes to provide Israel with information on violations of the terms of the ceasefire agreement and, in particular, on any indications that Hezbollah is attempting to infiltrate the ranks of the Lebanese army.

The letter also reaffirms the United States’ commitment to cooperate with Israel to prevent Iran from continuing its destabilizing operations in Lebanon, including the smuggling of Iranian weapons to Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R) meets with U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein and Middle East expert Brett McGurk, alongside other officials, in his office in Jerusalem, October 31, 2024. ( Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPO)

The United States also confirms in its letter that Israel has the right to act in response to threats coming from inside Lebanon,
“in accordance with international law”, according to channel N12.

The letter reportedly states that if the terms of the agreement are not respected in southern Lebanon, Israel reserves the right to act at any time.

However, beyond southern Lebanon, Israel will only be permitted to act in response to a Hezbollah ceasefire violation if the LAF is unable or unwilling to deal of these violations.

If Israel believes it needs to act in response to threats inside Lebanon, anywhere, it should inform the United States wherever possible, the letter said, according to N12.

Finally, the letter confirms Israel’s right to carry out reconnaissance flights over Lebanon, for intelligence purposes, as long as they do not break the sound barrier.