ISRAEL and Hezbollah have agreed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire deal to end 13 months of fighting.
The agreement, which will put a halt to the worst battle in Lebanon in decades, came into force on Wednesday, November 27, at 4 a.m. local time.
A senior Biden administration official told The Washington Post that Israeli forces would remain in their locations and not immediately leave.
According to those acquainted with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the agreement is expected to put a stop to combat for a first two-month period, during when Israeli troops are expected to withdraw and the Lebanese army will bolster its presence in the southern region of the nation.
However, according to reports, the battle raged until the very last minute, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatening to launch another attack if the Lebanese militant group broke the agreement.
Multiple reports stated that Israel bombarded Beirut and its southern suburbs on Tuesday, filling the skyline with a barrage of airstrikes.
The airstrikes coincided with the final discussions regarding a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Speaking on the deal in a statement on Tuesday, the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said it would require the full and unwavering commitment of both parties to succeed.
According to a senior Biden administration official who briefed reporters under the White House’s regulations regarding anonymity, all fire from both sides would cease at 4 a.m. local time, or 9 p.m., while Israeli forces would remain in their positions and not leave right away.
Similarly, a joint statement from Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the cease-fire in Lebanon would “create the conditions to restore lasting calm and allow residents in both countries to return safely to their homes.” Both leaders promised to ensure that the cease-fire is completely enforced.
Biden called for an end to the war in Gaza and referred to the agreement as “a new start” for Lebanon in his remarks at the White House on Tuesday.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated in October 2023, when Hezbollah launched a rocket campaign against Israel in support of Gaza.
This move was in response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza following a surprise attack by Hamas that killed 1,139 people and took 250 captive.
Israel retaliated with force, marking a significant intensification of the long-standing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 566 people have been murdered, and 97,000 people displaced from their homes.
A reporter with the ICIR
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