Key Takeaways:
– President Biden confirms U.S. role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
– The ceasefire does not extend to other ongoing conflicts.
– The Israeli forces start a phased withdrawal over 60 days as the Lebanese Army takes charge.
– The U.S. reassures its support with France, in implementing the ceasefire between the two warring factions.
Ceasefire Agreement: A New Hope for Lebanon
In a recent development, President Biden announced a significant step towards peace in the Middle East. He revealed that the U.S. has played a pivotal role in securing a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah. This agreement, approved by Israel’s Cabinet, marks an end to a devastating conflict that has claimed the lives of around 3,800 people over the past year, leaving about 16,000 others wounded.
Mr. Biden, speaking from the White House South Lawn, expressed his gratitude towards French President Emmanuel Macron for his partnership in this critical achievement. The ceasefire aimed at a complete and permanent suspension of hostilities, will take effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday local time. Biden affirmed that this ceasefire is designed to halt fighting across the Lebanese-Israeli border and ensure no threat from terrorist organizations to Israel’s security.
Transitioning Control to the Lebanese Army and State Security Forces
In the wake of the ceasefire, the Lebanese Army and state security forces will resume control, and the Israeli forces will commence a phased withdrawal process. The war with Hezbollah has forced over 70,000 Israelis to live as refugees in their own land and displaced more than 300,000 Lebanese citizens.
Biden stressed, however, that the ceasefire does not pertain to the ongoing conflicts involving Israel and Hamas. In a joint release with President Macron, he stated that this announcement is crucial to restoring lasting calm and enabling residents from both nations to safely return to their homes. A stern warning was also issued that any violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah would result in Israel exercising its right to self-defense.
Israel Retains Right to Self-defense
Echoing these sentiments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also pressed upon the repercussions if Hezbollah breaks the terms of ceasefire. While promoting the agreement, he assured a severe response to any breach, revealing that the country’s full Cabinet ministers are expected to approve the deal.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati appealed for the international community’s support to implement an immediate ceasefire, marking another step towards ending the worst conflict since Lebanon’s civil war.
Implementing Ceasefire
As per the agreed ceasefire, the Lebanese and United Nations forces will jointly patrol southern Lebanon. The deal mandates that Hezbollah withdraw its troops and heavy weaponry about 20 miles from the Israeli border. The commencement for the first detachment of Israeli troops is scheduled within the next ten days, marking the onset of a new era of peace.
However, this process does not mark an end to the war in the Middle East, with a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas still lacking. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared his optimism about this ceasefire acting as a catalyst in de-escalating tensions in the region, especially for the conflict-stricken Gaza.
The aftermath of this ceasefire would reflect on over 1.2 million displaced people in Lebanon and at least 60,000 from the northern Israeli towns and villages. The conclusion marks a significant step in enabling these people to return to their homes safely, reiterating the international community’s committed efforts towards achieving lasting calm in the region.