After almost 14 months of deadly bombings, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah led to quiet skies above southern Lebanon and northern Israel. President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire in an effort to create a permanent peace, although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of further attacks if Hezbollah rearms. The announcement of the truce was met with joy in Lebanon, but the timeline for displaced individuals to return home remains uncertain.
The ceasefire is a rare moment of diplomatic success in a conflict-ridden Middle East. The agreement reinstates the 2006 ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, under UNSC Resolution 1701, with plans for Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah to withdraw to north of the Litani River. The truce was brokered by Washington and France and aims to provide respite after a year of violence that killed thousands and displaced millions.
While welcomed by many, including European and Middle Eastern powers, the ceasefire does not address the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Efforts are underway to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, where thousands have been killed. Inside Israel, the ceasefire agreement has divided public opinion, with some supporting the terms while others believe it misses an opportunity to fully eliminate Hezbollah. The fragile peace faces challenges, such as disagreements over evacuations and concerns over potential ceasefire violations. Overall, the ceasefire offers hope for a period of calm after months of devastation and loss in the region.
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