Hezbollah And Israel Agree To Ceasefire After 11-Hour Attack On Beirut
Israeli forces and militant group Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire after over a year of hostility and fighting.
It began at 3am Malta time and marks an important step in diplomatic efforts in the region.
The deal was brokered by the US and France and announced by outgoing US President Joe Biden.
It consists of an initial 60-day halt to the attacks that have claimed thousands of lives in Lebanon and displaced more than a million people. However, the intention is a permanent stop to the fighting, Biden said last night.
Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from Lebanon while Hezbollah will leave its positions and retreat north of the Litani River. As the IDF moves back, the Lebanese army will take control of its territory.
The complete withdrawal is planned to take up to 60 days. Lebanese troops are currently being prepared for deployment before it is joined by an international task force who will see the implementation of the terms of the agreement.
In the early hours of the ceasefire, Reuters began reporting thousands of cars returning home in southern Lebanon. However, less than an hour ago, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) shot at vehicles inside Lebanese territories, warning that people should wait until Israeli forces have withdrawn from certain areas.
While Lebanese citizens are celebrating the deal, the majority of the Israeli public does not support a ceasefire. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu was honest in a televised statement when he said that the IDF needed to regroup and rearm.
In Gaza, Hamas told Reuters that it “appreciates” Hezbollah’s position and hopes that a deal is also reached to end the war in Gaza. Despite this, it is unlikely that a ceasefire in Lebanon will affect the siege of Gaza.
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