Key information
- A two-month ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah has come into effect, forcing a halt to fighting.
- Israeli troops will return to their positions along the border, while thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeeping forces will be deployed in southern Lebanon.
- An international group led by the United States will oversee implementation of the agreement.
Background and conditions of the ceasefire
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect on Wednesday after nearly 14 months of conflict. The United States and France negotiated the agreement, which calls for a two-month cessation of fighting and requires Hezbollah to withdraw its armed presence from southern Lebanon.
Israeli troops are expected to resume their positions along the border, while thousands of Lebanese soldiers and United Nations peacekeepers will be deployed in the south to ensure compliance with the agreement. An international group led by the United States will oversee implementation of the agreement.
Implementation and compliance with the agreement
Although there were initial reports of celebratory gunfire in some neighborhoods of Beirut following the ceasefire announcement, no immediate violations were recorded. However, Israeli authorities warned residents of southern Lebanon not to return home yet and said they would retaliate if Hezbollah violated the agreement.
The ceasefire agreement does not address the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, where a hostage situation remains unresolved. Opinion is divided over whether Israel retains the right to strike Hezbollah if it perceives a violation, with Prime Minister Netanyahu saying it is part of the deal, while Lebanese and Hezbollah officials deny it.
Response from the international community
President Biden welcomed the ceasefire agreement, calling it “good news” and pledging to redouble efforts to achieve a truce in Gaza. He stressed that the agreement aims for a permanent cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, while reserving for Israel the right to respond quickly if necessary.
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope that the ceasefire would pave the way for stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah representatives said they accepted the agreement, but were waiting for its final form to review it. They stressed the importance of maintaining Lebanon’s sovereignty and rejected any violation thereof.
Military activities during ceasefire negotiations
Even as ceasefire negotiations progressed, both sides continued to conduct military activities. Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah’s suspected financial assets and infrastructure in Beirut, causing casualties and damage. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has launched rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel. Escalating tensions led to mass evacuations in Lebanon, with residents fleeing to safer areas as the conflict raged.
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