Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Begins, Netanyahu Gives Three Reasons For The Pact

Netanyahu’s statements come hours after the Israeli security cabinet approved a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon on Tuesday (local time). According to sources, the ceasefire began on Wednesday at 4 am (local time).

Speaking about the ceasefire, Netanyahu said the length of it would depend on what happened in Lebanon.

“We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. We will continue united until victory," he said.

The war in Lebanon followed nearly a year of limited cross-border exchanges of fire begun by Hezbollah. The Lebanese group said it was acting in support of Hamas after the Palestinian group’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza.

Netanyahu Gives 3 Reasons For Ceasefire Pact

The Israeli PM listed three reasons for opting for a ceasefire pact. The first reason was to focus on the Iranian threat, but he did not want to expand.

His second was to give the forces a pause and replenish stocks. “And I say it openly, it is no secret that there have been big delays in weapons and munitions deliveries. These delays will be resolved soon. We will receive supplies of advanced weaponry that will keep our soldiers safe and give us more strike force to complete our mission," he said.

He said the third reason for having a ceasefire was to separate the fronts and isolate Hamas. “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. We will increase our pressure on Hamas and that will help us in our sacred mission of releasing our hostages," he added.

US Role

US President Joe Biden, who facilitated the deal and spoke with the leaders of Israel and Lebanon shortly after the announcement, stated that the ceasefire is intended to be permanent. According to Biden, the fighting will cease at 4 am local time.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israel will begin a gradual withdrawal of its forces over a 60-day period, with the Lebanese army assuming control of the territory near the border to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its infrastructure, he explained. “Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities," Biden said.

The US is expected to lead a five-nation monitoring committee to oversee the truce, while the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (Unifil) will be reinforced.

Biden also noted, “In the coming days, the United States will work with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and others to push for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the plan was approved with a 10 to 1 vote during a late-night cabinet meeting and expressed gratitude for “the US involvement in securing the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon." The statement also reiterated, “Israel maintains its right to act against any threat to its security."

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, welcomed the deal to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, according to a statement issued by his office. The statement said Mikati had spoken with Biden.

Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire

The Hill, which first reported the ceasefire news, stated that Netanyahu and Biden would announce the agreement at different times. The formal announcement followed a vote in Israel’s security cabinet on Tuesday evening, according to a separate report from news agency Reuters. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later indicated that he would soon present the announcement to the full cabinet.

In his address to Israelis, Netanyahu emphasised, “We’re changing the face of the Middle East. A good agreement is one that can be enforced." He added that the ceasefire’s primary goals were to isolate Hamas and secure the return of hostages. “We have pushed Hezbollah back by decades. It would have sounded like fiction three months ago, but we did it," he said, referring to Israel’s operations to target Hezbollah’s top leaders.

The Hill reported that Biden will also address the ceasefire in a televised message.

As of the latest reports, Lebanon has confirmed at least 3,799 fatalities since October 2023, most of which have occurred in recent weeks. On the Israeli side, the hostilities with Hezbollah have claimed at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians, according to authorities. The initial clashes displaced tens of thousands of Israelis, with officials stating that they were fighting to ensure their safe return home.