Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a 60-day ceasefire effective Wednesday, November 27. The truce, mediated by the United States, aims to end over a year of hostilities and pave the way for long-term peace in the region. U.S. President Joe Biden announced the deal, emphasizing its potential to establish a permanent cessation of hostilities. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the agreement, which Hezbollah had approved last week.
Ceasefire Agreement
The details of the five-page agreement, encompassing 13 sections, have not been fully disclosed. However, sources familiar with the negotiations have outlined critical components of the deal:
- Cessation of Hostilities:
- The ceasefire took effect at 4:00 AM local time in Israel and Lebanon (2:00 AM GMT). A senior U.S. official confirmed that all parties agreed to halt military actions immediately.
- Israeli Military Withdrawal:
- Israel committed to withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon within 60 days. Lebanese officials have expressed hopes for the withdrawal to occur within the first month of the truce.
- Hezbollah’s Withdrawal:
- Hezbollah is required to retreat from positions near Israel’s border to areas north of the Litani River, addressing longstanding issues under UN Resolution 1701. The withdrawal and dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure will not be conducted publicly.
- Deployment of the Lebanese Army:
- Around 5,000 Lebanese soldiers will deploy south of the Litani River to secure the region, including 33 posts along the border. This represents a significant step toward Lebanon reclaiming sovereignty over its southern territories.
- Monitoring and Compliance:
- An expanded monitoring mechanism involving the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Lebanese and Israeli armies, and representatives from the United States and France will oversee the ceasefire. The U.S. will chair the mechanism, while France and the U.S. will assess any violations.
Humanitarian Challenges
The agreement comes amid significant humanitarian challenges, with over 1.2 million people displaced by Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Many of these individuals hail from southern Lebanon, which bore the brunt of the conflict. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah has stressed that the return of displaced persons to their homes is a top priority. Simultaneously, tens of thousands of Israelis displaced from northern regions are expected to return.
Challenges remain, particularly concerning unexploded ordnance in affected areas, which could pose risks to returning civilians. Ensuring the safe return of displaced populations will be an essential aspect of the ceasefire’s success.
International Involvement
The United States has played a central role in brokering the deal, with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein negotiating terms directly with both sides. President Biden emphasized that the U.S. and its allies are committed to ensuring the deal’s effective implementation, though without deploying American troops to the region.
“If Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal and poses a direct threat to Israel, then Israel retains the right to self-defense consistent with international law,” Biden stated. This provision underscores Israel’s continued vigilance over security threats, including monitoring Hezbollah’s activities with drones—a point of contention with Lebanese officials.
Regional Stability
The ceasefire agreement could mark a turning point in the broader Middle East conflict. According to U.S. officials, the deal might influence dynamics in Gaza, where the Israeli military has been engaged in operations against Hamas since the militant group’s attack on October 7, 2023.
A senior U.S. official suggested that the ceasefire in Lebanon signals a shift in Hezbollah’s stance, distancing itself from Hamas. “Hezbollah has decided to abandon them and delink the two conflicts,” the official noted, adding that this development could reduce external support for Hamas and potentially open the door to a ceasefire in Gaza.
- Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel retains the right to respond to any violations of the truce. He highlighted the importance of monitoring Hezbollah’s compliance with the agreement.
- Lebanon: Lebanese officials have expressed cautious optimism about the deal, seeing it as an opportunity to stabilize the south and reclaim territorial sovereignty.
- United States: President Biden called the agreement a “new start” for Lebanon and highlighted its potential to rebuild regional stability.
- Effective Monitoring: The expanded monitoring mechanism must function transparently and impartially to address potential breaches.
- Hezbollah’s Compliance: Ensuring that Hezbollah adheres to its commitments, including dismantling military facilities in southern Lebanon, will be crucial.
- Humanitarian Efforts: Addressing the needs of displaced populations and facilitating their safe return will test the coordination between Lebanese authorities and international partners.
