By Smartencyclopedia Newsdesk with Agencies
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has come into effect in Lebanon following over 14 months of relentless conflict. The truce, which began at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday, was brokered by Israel, France, and the United States. President Joe Biden hailed it as an opportunity for a “permanent cessation of hostilities.”
The announcement was made Tuesday evening, but hostilities persisted until the final hours. Israel launched strikes near Beirut just before the ceasefire deadline, while Hezbollah deployed drones into Israeli territory. Moments after the ceasefire began, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) cautioned southern Lebanon’s residents to avoid evacuated zones and IDF positions, promising updates on when it would be safe to return.
Despite the warnings, Reuters reporters observed a convoy of vehicles heading south shortly after the ceasefire, laden with personal belongings, signaling hope among residents to return to their homes.
War’s Toll on Lebanon
The past year of warfare has been Lebanon’s deadliest in decades. More than 3,800 lives have been lost, and over one million people have been displaced, primarily from Hezbollah-controlled regions. Israel’s military campaign, intensified in September with ground invasions, sought to neutralize Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
The conflict traces its roots to October 7, 2023, when Hezbollah initiated rocket fire into Israel following a deadly attack by its ally Hamas in southern Israel, which claimed approximately 1,200 Israeli lives. Over the months, the fighting escalated, claiming dozens of lives in northern Israel and southern Lebanon.
Ceasefire Terms and Reactions
Under the agreement, Israel will withdraw troops from southern Lebanon within 60 days. Hezbollah, in turn, must remove fighters and weapons from areas south of the Litani River, a boundary established after the 2006 war. Lebanese government forces will replace the vacated positions, supervised by an international monitoring mechanism.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the agreement, calling it a “step toward restoring calm and stability.” However, he urged Israel to fully adhere to the deal and respect UN resolutions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a firmer tone, warning that any violation by Hezbollah would provoke immediate retaliation. “If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to arm itself, we will attack,” he declared.
Broader Implications
Observers suggest the ceasefire may allow Israel to redirect military focus toward Hamas in Gaza and Iran’s regional influence. With much of Hezbollah’s missile arsenal destroyed, analysts believe the strategic balance has shifted in Israel’s favor.
Netanyahu emphasized that the truce’s conclusion of hostilities in Lebanon weakens Hamas, leaving the group isolated. “From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own,” he said.
US officials have expressed cautious optimism that the ceasefire could serve as a stepping stone for progress in the Gaza conflict, though negotiations there remain stalled.
Humanitarian and Political Fallout
The war’s devastation has left Lebanon grappling with immense human and economic challenges. Beyond the staggering death toll, over 15,800 people have been injured, and vast areas remain uninhabitable due to heavy bombardment.
Public opinion on the ceasefire remains divided. A snap poll in Israel revealed mixed sentiments, with 37% in favor, 32% opposed, and 31% undecided.
As the ceasefire holds, albeit tenuously, regional and global stakeholders will closely monitor the adherence to its terms, hoping that this fragile calm paves the way for a durable resolution.