Barran Press - Anadolu Agency
On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the governments of Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a proposal for a ceasefire that will take effect at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
In a speech delivered from the White House, Biden stated, "The governments of Israel and Lebanon have accepted a proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah," calling this development "good news," according to Anadolu Agency.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Biden explained, fighting along the Lebanese-Israeli border will stop, and Lebanese military and security forces will take control of southern Lebanon within 60 days, while Israel will gradually withdraw its troops from the region.
The president noted that the United States, along with France and other allies, has committed to working with Israel and Lebanon to ensure the full implementation of this agreement. He added, "While there will be no American troops on the ground in southern Lebanon, we, alongside France and others, will provide necessary assistance to ensure that this agreement is fully and effectively executed."
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Biden revealed new efforts involving Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Israel to achieve a ceasefire, stating that "Hamas has one choice: to release the hostages, including American hostages."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the security cabinet approved the ceasefire, stating he would present a proposal to the cabinet. In a live address, he remarked, "We agreed to a ceasefire to relieve our forces and separate the ties between Hezbollah and Hamas," adding that Israeli military operations in Lebanon have set Hezbollah back decades and increased pressure on Hamas, which he believes will enhance the chances of recovering hostages.
Netanyahu further stated, "We will return all citizens in the north to their homes," and warned that Israel would resume military action "if Hezbollah acts against us," emphasizing his determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In the hours leading up to the announcement of the agreement, Israel intensified airstrikes on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and its southern suburbs, as well as southern and eastern provinces, resulting in numerous casualties.
The conflict has escalated since Israel launched a military operation against Gaza on October 7, 2023, which has reportedly resulted in approximately 149,000 Palestinian casualties. Since September 23, Israel has expanded its military operations to include most areas of Lebanon, including Beirut, through airstrikes and a ground invasion in the south.
The Israeli aggression against Lebanon has resulted in 3,823 deaths and 15,859 injuries, including many children and women, with around 1.4 million displaced individuals recorded, according to official Lebanese data compiled by Anadolu Agency as of Tuesday evening.
Daily retaliatory actions by Hezbollah include launching rockets, drones, and artillery shells targeting military sites, intelligence facilities, and military gatherings. While Israel has publicly disclosed some of its casualties, military censorship has imposed strict limits on reporting most losses, according to observers.