Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire: US, France act as guarantors
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Isreal and the Lebanese militant group—Hezbollah have ceased hostilities as their ceasefire agreement come into effect.
This followed United States President Joe Biden’s announcement that a proposal to end the “devastating” conflict had been reached to halt nearly 14 months of war that has killed thousands of people.
The ceasefire started at 4am local time on Wednesday amid concerns about whether the truce would hold and lead to the permanent end of fighting between Israel’s military and Hezbollah forces.
Biden’s announcement came as Israel’s Cabinet approved the ceasefire. The war between Israel and the Iran-backed group has killed almost 3,800 people in Lebanon over the last year and left about 16,000 others wounded.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel will “gradually withdraw” its forces from southern Lebanon over the next 60 days, and the Lebanese Army and state security forces would deploy to the territory.
Biden released a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron, stressing that both countries “will work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented and enforced”.
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The US and France also committed “to lead and support international efforts for capacity-building of the Lebanese Armed Forces as well as economic development throughout Lebanon to advance stability and prosperity in the region”.
Hezbollah militant group of Lebanon began striking Israel on October 8, 2023, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Cross-border attacks persisted for months. Then, at the start of last month, Israel invaded southern Lebanon.
At least 3,768 Lebanese have been killed and 15,699 wounded since the fighting began.
