A cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah emerged to be held Wednesday after President Joe Biden stated the arrangement to end fighting across the Israeli-Lebanon border was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.
According to the officials, it has been indicated that the war has killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon and created a humanitarian catastrophe with some 1.2 million displaced from their homes. Around 80 Israeli soldiers and 50 civilians have died, and 60,000 forced from their homes.
Biden while speaking on Tuesday stated that the United States and its partners, including France, “will make sure this deal is implemented fully” after it came into effect at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday (9 p.m. ET Tuesday).
In his address from the White House emphasised that, if Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal, and poses a direct threat to Israel, then Israel retains the right to self-defense consistent with international law.
He stressed that the agreement is in Lebanon’s best welfare and supports its independence, counting that its people, like the people of Gaza, deserve an end to the violence and eviction.
Biden stated that the people of Gaza have been through torment. Their world is shattered, adding that Hamas’ only way out of the war with Israel is to release the captives.
The president who was happy about the move stated that the agreement between Israel and the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah reminds the people that peace is possible.
He noted that Peace is possible, as long as that is the case. He noted that he will continue to work towards getting peace as long there is an opportunity for such.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense also celebrated the deal and noted it was a historic moment for them as the deal had taken off.
Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the agreement would be a great opportunity to enable tens of thousands of civilians in both Lebanon and Israel to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border and to put an end to the violence and destruction of this conflict.
Before the agreement was announced by the US president on Wednesday, it was disclosed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement that his cabinet had approved the ceasefire with a voting of 10 ministers to one.
The statement further appreciated the US noting that Israel appreciates the US for its contribution to the process explaining that it reserves its right to act against any threat to its security.
A senior U.S. administration official said that when the deal goes into effect, all fire will stop from all parties and that Israel’s phased withdrawal will begin.
Israeli troops in Lebanon will hold their positions and 60 days will start in which the Lebanese military and security forces will begin their deployment toward the south, the official said, adding that the process will not happen overnight or in several days.
The official stated that whereas the Lebanese military deploys and reaches the south, the Israeli military will withdraw, explaining that in 50 to 60 days, all Israeli troops will be gone.
While speaking on Tuesday in an address the Israeli Prime Minister had noted that he had recommended that his Cabinet agree to the deal with Hezbollah, which began exchanging fire with Israel a day after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage, according to the figures from the Israeli officials.
Health officials have stated that Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip since then has killed more than 41,000 people which has further caused more humanitarian crisis.
Hezbollah states it is supporting the Palestinian opposition Israel sees it as another attempt by Tehran to attack the Jewish state.
Israel also killed several of Hezbollah’s most potent leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, under whose leadership the group became the most powerful Iran-backed paramilitary group in the Middle East.
Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders had vowed not to stop their attacks on Hezbollah until the 60,000 residents of northern Israel who have been driven from their homes can return safely. Around 90 Israeli soldiers and 50 Israeli civilians have been killed since October 7, 2023, when the conflict started
It was disclosed that more than 3,820 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli bombing since the fighting started, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, a campaign that has displaced some 1.2 million people and unleashed a humanitarian crisis.
A World Bank report calculated the cost of physical damage and economic casualties due to the conflict in Lebanon at $8.5 billion.
In this multifront war in the Middle East, the Lebanon conflict has become a key focus for Israel in recent months. That’s partly down to Hezbollah’s mighty missile arsenal, bigger than any other non-state group in the world and thought to be capable of overwhelming Israel’s missile defense.
Biden disclosed that with the time he has left in office, they remain committed to working toward his vision for an integrated, secure and prosperous region, of, all of which strengthens America’s natural security.
He further noted that he was hoping and praying for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and to create a future where Palestinians have a state of their own, one that fulfils the peoples’ legitimate aspirations; one that cannot threaten Israel or harbor terrorist groups with backing from Iran. He also noted that he hopes for a future where Israelis and Palestinians enjoy equal measures of security, prosperity, and, yes, dignity.
