Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah takes effect

BEIRUT,— A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday, marking a rare diplomatic success after more than a year of intense conflict.

The truce, brokered by the United States and France, offers hope for stability in a region long troubled by war. Both parties agreed to stop fighting, and Lebanon’s military began preparing to deploy to the southern regions to ensure the ceasefire holds.

The military also urged people to delay returning to border areas until Israeli forces, who had advanced roughly 6 kilometers into Lebanon, withdrew fully.

On Wednesday morning, the ceasefire mostly held, though tensions remained high. Israel reported that it had detected Hezbollah operatives approaching the border and responded with gunfire to prevent them from advancing.

Despite this, the agreement represents a major achievement for the U.S. and France, especially as the conflict along the Israeli-Lebanese border had caused thousands of casualties since being sparked by last year’s Gaza war. The ceasefire is a strategic win for the Biden administration, especially in the final months of President Joe Biden’s term.

Israel’s military operations had previously escalated in response to Hezbollah’s support of Hamas, the Islamic “Palestinian” militant group responsible for the Islamic State-style deadly October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

By reaching this truce, Israel may now be able to redirect its focus back to its ongoing efforts in Gaza, where its forces are engaged in a prolonged battle against Hamas.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, stressing that the lessons learned from Lebanon should be applied to Gaza.

The ceasefire deal also received support from Egypt, a key mediator in the region, though it had been unable to broker peace in Gaza. The truce offered relief to both Lebanon and Israel.

In Lebanon, the streets were filled with cars and families returning to their homes, many of which had been heavily damaged by the conflict. The village of Tyre, a southern port city, had been a focal point for fighting. While many displaced people hoped to return to their homes and avoid paying further rent, some waited until the Lebanese army confirmed the Israeli withdrawal.

Hussam Arrout, a Lebanese father of four, expressed his eagerness to return to his village of Mays al-Jabal, near the Israeli border. However, he and many others were advised to stay cautious as Israeli forces had not fully pulled back. The ceasefire also highlighted the human toll of the conflict, with many villages still in ruins.

In Washington, President Biden confirmed the deal after Israel’s security cabinet voted overwhelmingly in favor of the agreement. Speaking from the White House, Biden expressed optimism that the ceasefire would lead to a permanent end to hostilities and prevent Hezbollah from threatening Israel again.

Under the agreement, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over the next 60 days, while Lebanon’s military will take control of the southern border area to ensure Hezbollah cannot rebuild its infrastructure.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has not formally commented on the ceasefire. However, senior officials within the group signaled their support for the extension of Lebanon’s authority, though they vowed that Hezbollah would emerge from the war stronger.

The group had already suffered significant losses, including the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Israeli airstrikes.

For Israel, the ceasefire represents a chance to regroup and focus on its broader security concerns, particularly Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the truce, saying it would allow Israel to concentrate on the Iranian threat while giving its forces a needed break.

He also claimed that Hezbollah had been severely weakened during the conflict, citing the destruction of most of the group’s rockets and missiles, and the elimination of its leadership.

In Iran, the ceasefire was welcomed as a step toward peace. Iranian officials have supported both Hezbollah and Hamas in their conflicts with Israel, and they acknowledged the ceasefire as a positive move.

Lebanese people, some waving Hezbollah flags, sit in traffic while returning to their villages after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect in Ghazieh, Lebanon, on November 27, 2024. Photo: AP

Despite ongoing tensions, the agreement represents a rare moment of diplomatic progress in an otherwise volatile region.

Political analyst Henase Karim told iKurd News that “Many Muslims in the Middle East, have a deeply flawed perception of victory. They seem to believe that they are always the victors, even when everything around them falls apart. This distorted mindset blinds them to the harsh reality of their situation, where destruction, loss, and suffering are clear consequences of their actions.”

“Despite enduring repeated setbacks and defeats, they continue to cling to the illusion of triumph, unable or unwilling to face the true cost of their choices. It’s a mentality that, rather than fostering genuine progress, keeps them trapped in a cycle of denial and self-deception.” Karim added.

(With files from Reuters)