Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire agreement, brokered by the United States and France on Wednesday. This agreement marks a rare diplomatic win in a region that has experienced continuous conflict for over a year.
Lebanese Army Readies for Action
Lebanon’s army is preparing to deploy to the southern border region. They aim to ensure the ceasefire holds. The military also asked residents of border villages to wait before returning home. This is until Israeli forces, who had pushed six kilometers (about four miles) into Lebanon, fully withdraw.
A Diplomatic Milestone
The ceasefire seeks to end the ongoing conflict along the Israeli-Lebanese border. This conflict, which began after the Gaza war last year, has resulted in thousands of deaths. The agreement represents a significant diplomatic success for the US as President Joe Biden’s administration nears its final days. Biden also mentioned ongoing efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and the possibility of Saudi Arabia and Israel normalizing relations.
Unclear Gunfire in Beirut
After the ceasefire began at 0200 GMT, bursts of gunfire were heard in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. It was unclear if the gunfire was celebratory or a signal for evacuation warnings. Previously, gunfire had been used to alert people in Lebanon about Israeli military evacuation orders.
Displaced People Begin to Return
Following the ceasefire, displaced residents from southern Lebanon started returning home. Many had fled due to Israeli strikes in recent months. Reuters witnesses reported cars filled with families heading back to the area. Some returned with Hezbollah flags, passing through bombed-out southern suburbs of Beirut.
Biden’s Diplomatic Outreach
At the White House on Tuesday, Biden addressed the ceasefire agreement. He said he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The agreement ensures that fighting will stop by 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT).
