Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly endorsed a U.S. and French-brokered ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, aiming to end fourteen months of conflict. Cabinet approval is pending.
Following over three hours of cabinet deliberation, Netanyahu, at a press conference, cited three justifications for the deal: focusing on the Iranian threat, allowing Israeli forces to regroup, and isolating Hamas from the northern front.
He asserted that a Hezbollah ceasefire would leave Hamas vulnerable, facilitating the recovery of hostages taken on October 7th.
Netanyahu planned to present the agreement to the cabinet for a vote later that day.
He cautioned that the ceasefire’s duration depended on Hezbollah’s compliance, threatening renewed attacks if the agreement was violated. “How long it will be will depend on what will happen in Lebanon,” Netanyahu said. “If Hezbollah doesn’t follow the agreement, we’ll attack.”
The proposed two-month ceasefire stipulates Hezbollah’s withdrawal north of the Litani River, a significant distance from the Israeli border, concurrent with Israeli forces withdrawing from southern Lebanon. Lebanese armed forces are to deploy to the border within sixty days, with a five-nation committee, chaired by the U.S. and including France, overseeing compliance, according to Reuters. A UNIFIL peacekeeping mission will continue, as reported by the Tazpit Press Service (TPS-IL).
Outstanding issues included Israel reserving the right to retaliate should Hezbollah breach the agreement.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported earlier that its ground troops had reached the Litani River, a Hezbollah stronghold, conducting raids in the Wadi Slouqi area, seizing weapons, dismantling facilities, and neutralizing rocket launchers.
The IDF stated that clashes with Hezbollah occurred near the eastern Litani River, a considerable distance into Lebanese territory, representing one of the deepest incursions during the nearly two-month ground operation. The military described the operations as intelligence-based raids targeting terrorist infrastructure.
“The soldiers raided several terrorist targets, engaged in close-quarters combat with terrorists, located and destroyed dozens of launchers, thousands of rockets and missiles, and weapons storage facilities hidden in the mountainside,” the IDF said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the deal, stating it would enable the return of displaced Israelis and enhance Israel’s security against Hezbollah. He urged Hamas to release the remaining hostages and negotiate a ceasefire, warning against further violence. He also commended the Biden administration for its role in brokering the agreement and securing the release of hostages.
Hezbollah’s attacks began on October 8, 2023, following Hamas’s October 7th attack on southern Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages. This escalated in September with Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon and a ground incursion. Hezbollah has launched thousands of rockets into Israel, including approximately 250 on Sunday.
Over 68,000 Israelis have been displaced from their homes near the Lebanese border, according to TPS-IL.
An Israeli strike on Tuesday destroyed a residential building in Beirut’s Basta district, marking the second such incident in recent days. Warnings were issued for the evacuation of twenty more buildings in Beirut before potential strikes, implemented shortly before the ceasefire.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated there was no justification for Israel to reject a ceasefire, warning of Lebanon’s potential collapse without one.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Katz, met with the UN Special Envoy for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, emphasizing zero tolerance for ceasefire violations and threatening forceful action if necessary.