Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Takes Effect in Lebanon, with US and France Acting as Guarantors

A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah went into effect hours after U.S. President Joe Biden announced that a proposal had been reached to end the “devastating” conflict.

The agreement aims to bring an end to nearly 14 months of fighting, which has claimed thousands of lives.

The ceasefire began at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday, though concerns remain about the truce’s stability and whether it will lead to a lasting cessation of hostilities between Israel’s military and Hezbollah forces.

Today, I have some good news to report from the Middle East,”  Biden said on the White House South Lawn. “I just spoke with the prime minister of Israel and Lebanon. I’m pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States’ proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. I want to thank President Macron of France for his partnership in reaching this moment.”

“This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” he added. “What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed, I emphasize, will not be allowed, to threaten the security of Israel ever again.”

“The fighting across the Lebanese-Israeli border will end… ,”

“Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities and begin to rebuild their homes, their schools, their farms, their businesses and their very lives,”

Over the next 60 days, the Lebanese Army and state security forces will regain control of the area, while Israel will begin the gradual withdrawal of its remaining forces.

President Biden stated that since the war with Hezbollah started, more than 70,000 Israelis have been displaced and “forced to live as refugees in their own country,” while over 300,000 Lebanese people have also been displaced from their homes.

“Let’s be clear,” President Biden said. “Israel did not launch this war. The Lebanese people did not seek that war either, nor did the United States.”

Echoing earlier remarks from Netanyahu, President Biden stated that if Hezbollah or any other group violates the agreement and poses a direct threat to Israel, the country retains the right to self-defense.

In a joint statement later issued by President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, the two leaders stated that “the announcement today will end the fighting in Lebanon and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon.”

They further emphasized that the agreement “will create the conditions for lasting peace and allow residents on both sides of the Blue Line to safely return to their homes.”

Hezbollah, which did not engage directly in the ceasefire negotiations, had Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri act as a mediator on its behalf. The group has yet to release any statement regarding the truce.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, expressed his support for the deal, telling Biden that he welcomed the agreement to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed President Biden that his government had approved the ceasefire and expressed appreciation for Biden’s recognition that Israel would retain its right to self-defense in enforcing the agreement, according to Netanyahu’s office.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel will begin a gradual withdrawal of its forces from southern Lebanon over the next 60 days, with the Lebanese Army and state security forces taking control of the region.

In a joint statement, President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that both countries would work together with Israel and Lebanon to ensure the full implementation and enforcement of the ceasefire.

The US and France also pledged to lead international efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and support economic development in Lebanon, aiming to foster stability and prosperity in the region.

The conflict began when Hezbollah launched strikes on Israel on October 8, 2023, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, and cross-border attacks continued for months. Last month, Israel invaded southern Lebanon.

Since the fighting erupted, at least 3,768 Lebanese people have been killed, and 15,699 have been wounded.