President Joe Biden announced a United States-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed militia Hezbollah. The deal, set to begin at 4 a.m. local time, aims to end the fighting at the Israel-Lebanese border permanently. Biden emphasized that the U.S. and its partners will ensure the agreement is fully implemented. He stated that if Hezbollah threatens Israel, Israel retains the right to self-defense.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the ceasefire, which comes after months of back-and-forth strikes that have resulted in thousands of deaths and over a million displacements. Hezbollah’s support for Palestinian resistance has led to increased tensions, with Israel vowing to continue attacks until displaced residents can return safely.
Since the conflict began, over 3,820 people have been killed in Lebanon, with 1.2 million people displaced. Hezbollah’s significant missile arsenal poses a threat to Israel, leading to a focus on the Lebanon conflict. Netanyahu stressed the importance of the ceasefire in restoring peace to the region and preventing further bloodshed.
President Biden expressed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and highlighted the suffering of its people, as well as the people of Gaza. He urged Hamas to release hostages and end the violence, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The ceasefire represents a step towards stability in the region and a potential end to the devastating consequences of the ongoing violence.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com