A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has come into effect after over a year of devastating fighting, providing a momentary reprieve for both sides.
The truce began at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday and was brokered by the US, France, and Israel in a bid to halt hostilities that have left thousands dead and displaced.
Under the deal, Israel will withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon over 60 days, while Hezbollah must remove its fighters and weapons from areas south of the Litani River. These regions will be monitored by Lebanese government forces, replacing Hezbollah’s presence. President Joe Biden called the agreement a step toward a “permanent cessation of hostilities.”
However, the lead-up to the ceasefire saw intense military activity. Israel issued evacuation orders for parts of Beirut and carried out airstrikes hours before the truce. Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched drones into Israeli territory.
Despite the ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned Lebanese residents against returning to evacuated areas prematurely.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the deal, urging compliance from Israel and emphasizing its potential to restore calm. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while agreeing to the truce, warned of strong retaliation if Hezbollah violates the agreement.
The 14-month conflict, triggered by Hezbollah rocket attacks following Hamas’s incursion into southern Israel in October 2023, has been Lebanon’s deadliest in decades.
Over 3,823 people have died, 15,859 injured, and one million displaced, according to Lebanese officials. Israel reported 75 fatalities from Hezbollah attacks, including civilians and soldiers, with over 60,000 Israelis displaced from northern areas due to rocket strikes.
The war escalated in late September, with Israel launching a limited ground invasion against Hezbollah.
The militant group’s missile stockpile, seen as a key element in Iran’s defense strategy, has been significantly diminished, shifting the military balance in the region.
The US and France are set to join existing mechanisms to enforce the ceasefire under the framework of a UN resolution established after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. While US officials clarified that no American troops would be deployed to enforce the truce, President Biden expressed hope the ceasefire might inspire progress in parallel negotiations to end the Gaza conflict, which remains deadlocked.
Netanyahu highlighted the strategic benefits of the ceasefire, including the ability to redirect Israeli forces and resources toward Hamas in Gaza. With Hezbollah largely neutralized, Israel’s northern focus may lessen, increasing pressure on Hamas.
The ceasefire is seen as a tentative step toward stability, though challenges remain. Public opinion in Israel is divided, with 37% supporting the truce, 32% opposing it, and 31% undecided, according to a recent poll. For Lebanon, rebuilding after the catastrophic losses will require international aid and internal reconciliation.
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