U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein upon his arrival at Ain al-Tineh for a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, on Nov. 19, 2024. (Credit: AFP)
Is the war finally over? On Tuesday, Israel's war cabinet approved, by 10 votes to 1, the cease-fire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon, ending a long — and particularly violent — day of anticipation.
In a public address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly listed his army's "achievements," claiming to have set Hezbollah back by decades and boasting about the assassination of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
He then issued a warning to the Syrian president: "Bashar [al-Assad] must understand that he is playing with fire," referring to the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
"Three months ago, all of this would have seemed like science fiction. But we did it," he said, adding that Israel had "changed the face of the Middle East." He immediately assured that Israel retains "full military freedom of action in Lebanon."
"If Hezbollah breaks the agreement, we will attack," he emphasized.
Regarding the timing of the truce, Netanyahu gave three reasons: "First, we must focus on the Iranian threat," he said, declining to elaborate further. "Second, we simply need to allow our troops to rest … and acquire new ammunition to protect the soldiers." The third reason, he added, is to "isolate Hamas."
"A good agreement is one that is implemented. And we will implement it," he said, noting that "the duration of the cease-fire depends on what happens in Lebanon."
Shortly after, U.S. President Joe Biden, whose country mediated the agreement, announced that it would take effect Wednesday at 4 a.m. local time.
“Lasting security for the people of Israel and Lebanon cannot be achieved only on the battlefield," he said. "That's why I instructed my team to work with the governments of Israel and Lebanon to forge a cease-fire and end the conflict. Under the deal reached today, effective at 4 a.m. tomorrow local time, the fighting across the Lebanese-Israeli border will end. This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities."
"Over the next 60 days, the Lebanese Army and state security forces will be deployed to South Lebanon to reclaim control of their territory," Biden added, noting that the Israelis would withdraw from southern Lebanon during this period.
He also warned, "Let me be clear: If Hezbollah or any other organization violates the agreement and poses a direct threat to Israel, Israel retains the right to self-defense in accordance with international law."
While describing the agreement as a "new start" for Lebanon, he clarified that the U.S. would not send troops to the South. "The United States, with the full support of France and our other allies, is committed to working with Israel and Lebanon to ensure this agreement is fully implemented"
According to AFP, Netanyahu spoke by phone with President Biden and thanked him "for his involvement" in securing the agreement, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's office.
Shortly after, a joint statement from Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron was released, affirming that the two allies would "ensure that the cease-fire agreement in Lebanon is fully implemented."
"The United States and France will work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure that this arrangement is implemented in its entirety and enforced," the leaders emphasized. "They remain determined to ensure that this conflict does not provoke a new cycle of violence."
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in his own statement, confirmed that he had been contacted by Biden. "Mikati thanked President Biden for America's support for Lebanon and the efforts of his envoy, Amos Hochstein, to reach this cease-fire agreement."
"This agreement, which outlines the roadmap for the cease-fire, was shared with me tonight. I see it as an essential step towards restoring calm and stability in Lebanon, as well as the return of displaced persons," Mikati said. He also "demanded that the Israeli enemy fully respect the cease-fire, withdraw from all regions and positions it occupies, and fully adhere to Resolution 1701."
