A ceasefire has been established between Israel and Hezbollah after over a year of conflict, facilitated by the U.S. The truce includes a two-month pause in hostilities, requiring Hezbollah to withdraw from the southern Lebanese border while Israeli forces retreat. The agreement will be monitored by Lebanese soldiers, UN peacekeepers, and a U.S.-led committee. Despite recent escalations, both parties are urged to uphold the ceasefire to prevent further casualties, which have been significant on both sides.
Ceasefire Marks a New Chapter in Israel-Hezbollah Conflict
After a prolonged period of conflict lasting over a year between Israel and Hezbollah, peace has finally returned to the region with the announcement of a ceasefire. This truce, facilitated by the United States, went into effect early this morning, right after a series of intense exchanges of fire between the two parties.
In the wake of significant Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, the ceasefire aims to halt nearly 14 months of hostilities between the Israeli armed forces and the Iran-supported militant group, Hezbollah. The agreement outlines an initial two-month pause in fighting, during which Hezbollah is expected to withdraw from the southern Lebanese border while Israeli forces will retreat to their designated area.
Monitoring and Enforcement of the Ceasefire
The implementation of this ceasefire will be overseen by a combination of thousands of Lebanese soldiers, UN peacekeepers from the UNIFIL observer mission, and a committee led by the United States. Israel has made it clear that any violation by Hezbollah will prompt a military response. Notably, in the hours leading up to the ceasefire, Israel executed some of the heaviest bombardments on Beirut since the conflict’s onset.
Hezbollah, on the other hand, has claimed to have launched retaliatory attacks against Israeli positions during the night, indicating the fragility of the truce. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope for this ceasefire, viewing it as a stepping stone toward ending hostilities in Gaza as well. Following discussions with the Israeli security cabinet, Biden emphasized the importance of a lasting peace.
The ceasefire agreement has been brokered with the assistance of the United States and France, both of whom are committed to ensuring its success. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the significance of this ceasefire for Lebanon, stressing the necessity of its longevity.
Despite the recent death of their leader, Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah remains resilient, albeit diminished in strength. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued stern warnings to Hezbollah, asserting that the duration of the ceasefire will depend on the group’s conduct in Lebanon.
Currently, there has been no official statement from Hezbollah regarding the ceasefire. U.S. officials have clarified that negotiations were conducted solely with the Lebanese government, which must now take responsibility for maintaining order within its borders.
The ceasefire aligns closely with UN Resolution 1701, which had previously aimed to bring about an enduring cessation of violence after the 2006 conflict. Under the new agreement, Hezbollah is required to withdraw behind the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli-Lebanese border, while Israeli ground forces are expected to exit Lebanon within 60 days.
There are also provisions in the agreement aimed at curbing Hezbollah’s military capabilities. The Lebanese caretaker government will be tasked with monitoring arms sales and production to prevent any supplies from reaching Hezbollah or similar factions. This oversight was also part of UN Resolution 1701, yet Hezbollah had managed to strengthen its arsenal significantly during that time.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in devastating casualties, with over 3,700 fatalities reported in Lebanon and significant injuries since the war began. In Israel, there have been 76 deaths and numerous injuries attributed to Hezbollah attacks, highlighting the tragic toll of this prolonged conflict.