Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah takes effect today

(CLO) US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that a ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon will take effect from Wednesday (November 27), after both sides accepted a deal brokered by the US and France.

The deal paves the way for an end to the Israeli-Lebanese cross-border conflict that has killed thousands since it erupted in the aftermath of last year's Gaza war.

After Israel's security cabinet approved the deal by a 10-1 vote, Biden said he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon's interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He said the fighting would end at 4 a.m. local time (9 a.m. today Vietnam time).

“This is designed to end hostilities once and for all,” Biden said. “What remains of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will no longer be allowed to threaten Israel’s security.”

The Israeli army will withdraw from Lebanon within 60 days under the recently reached ceasefire agreement. Photo: Reuters

Israel to withdraw troops within 60 days

Mr Biden added that Israel would gradually withdraw its troops over 60 days while Lebanese government forces took control of territory near the border with Israel to ensure Hezbollah did not rebuild infrastructure there. “People on both sides will soon be able to return safely to their communities,” he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the signing of the agreement on social network X, saying it was "the fruit of efforts carried out over many months with the Israeli and Lebanese authorities, in close coordination with the United States".

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Mikati issued a statement welcoming the deal. Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib earlier said the Lebanese army would be ready to deploy at least 5,000 troops in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said he was ready to implement the ceasefire agreement and would respond strongly to any violations by Hezbollah.

Mr Netanyahu, who is facing some opposition to the deal from his coalition government, said the ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on the threat from Iran and Hamas in Gaza.

"We will implement the agreement and respond strongly to any violation. Together we will continue until victory," Netanyahu said. "In full coordination with the United States, we maintain complete freedom of military action. If Hezbollah violates the agreement or tries to rearm, we will strike decisively."

Mr Netanyahu added that Hezbollah, the militant group allied with Palestinian leader Hamas, was significantly weaker than at the start of the conflict.

US and France work with UNIFIL mission to prevent violations

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, welcomed the ceasefire in a statement and praised the parties to the agreement. "Now is the time to implement, through concrete actions, to consolidate today's achievements."

An area hit by an Israeli airstrike in Baabda, Lebanon on November 26, 2024, despite a ceasefire being reached. Photo: Reuters

A senior US official told reporters that the US and France will join a mechanism with the UNIFIL peacekeeping force that will work with the Lebanese army to prevent future ceasefire violations. US combat forces will not be deployed, the official said.

The ceasefire in Lebanon came after attitudes on both sides changed in late October, the official said.

President Biden, who leaves office in January, said his administration would continue to push for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, as well as a deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, fighting continued as Israel sharply stepped up its air campaign in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, with health authorities reporting at least 18 deaths.

The Israeli military said it had struck “Hezbollah’s financial management and systems,” including a currency exchange office. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued to fire hundreds of rockets into Israel.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lenh-ngung-ban-giua-israel-va-hezbollah-co-hieu-luc-tu-hom-nay-post323044.html