A ceasefire took effect early this Wednesday, November 27 in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel. While France and the United States will help the Lebanese government, Benjamin Netanyahu says he is ready to relaunch the comabts if the pro-Iranian movement “rearms”.
Peace hangs by a thread. If the ceasefire that came into force early this Wednesday, November 27 in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah has been welcomed by Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden in recent hours, the agreement reached between the two parties, who have been clashing for more a year old, remains fragile.
Even before Israeli bombs stopped falling on Beirut's southern suburbs, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned: “If Hezbollah rearms, breaks the agreement, we will attack it.” “The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon,” he insisted, saying he was ready to react “firmly” to any violation of the agreement: “with the agreement of the Americans, we maintain total freedom to act in Lebanon.”
• A gradual withdrawal for the Israeli army
The agreement, carefully negotiated with the help of France and the United States, therefore began to take effect this Wednesday, November 27. It provides for the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon over 60 days. At the same time, Hezbollah will have to withdraw from the southern border with Israel and move north of the Litani River, an American official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity.
Just a few minutes after the start of the truce, the Arabic-speaking IDF spokesperson warned the Lebanese, forbidding them from approaching the positions of Israeli soldiers still present in the south of the country. He recalls that the Israeli army “remains deployed”.
Since the start of the Israeli operation in Lebanon at the end of September, hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, particularly in the border region with the Jewish state.
• France and the United States will “strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces”
Pending the withdrawal of Israeli troops, France and the United States “are committed to playing a leading role in supporting international efforts to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces”, indicate Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron in a joint press release.
It is precisely the Lebanese army and security forces that will recover the positions of the Israeli army and Hezbollah, according to the details of the ceasefire agreement obtained by Agence France Presse.
The United States and France will join the tripartite mechanism created after the 2006 war bringing together the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Israel and Lebanon, indicates this source, which specifies that the two countries “retain the right self-defense in accordance with international law.
• Emmanuel Macron calls for “sustainable recovery” of Lebanon
“It is important that this ceasefire be respected,” pleaded Emmanuel Macron late this Tuesday from Paris, saying he hoped that this agreement “opens a new page” in Lebanon.
The President of the Republic hopes that it can “restore the security of the Lebanese, the security of the Israelis (…) allow the restoration of the sovereignty of Lebanon” and that this cessation of hostilities “offers the opportunity for Lebanese people to engage with the support of their partners in a lasting recovery of the country.”
In a speech broadcast on social networks, Emmanuel Macron urged Lebanese political leaders to achieve the election of a new president “without delay”. An essential step, according to him, to “the restoration of sovereignty” in Lebanon.
According to our information, the President of the Republic asked Jean-Yves Le Drian, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and now Emmanuel Macron's personal representative for Lebanon, to go there this Wednesday.
• Netanyahu promises to “intensify” pressure on Hamas in Gaza
The fighting on Israel's “northern” front put on hold, eyes are now turning to Gaza, bombarded relentlessly since October 8, 2023. The agreement in Lebanon must “open the way to a ceasefire too long awaited” in the Palestinian enclave, assured Emmanuel Macron. Joe Biden promised that the United States will lead a new “effort” for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In mid-November, however, Washington vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council relating to a truce and the immediate release of Hamas hostages. Furthermore, the United States continues to support Israel militarily and financially.
This Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu promised to “intensify” pressure on Palestinian Hamas. A statement which dashes hopes of a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave in the coming days.
The Israeli Prime Minister continues to persist in a “sacred mission” and refuses to listen to his own allies, who have been asking him for several months not to bomb civilians in the Palestinian enclave.
Since October 8, 2023, tens of thousands of people, including many women and children, have been killed by the Israeli army. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu for “crimes against humanity and war crimes.” A warrant was also issued against the head of the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement.
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