Israel security cabinet approves ceasefire deal with Hezbollah to end Lebanon war
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his security cabinet approved the US-mediated deal with Hezbollah for stopping the conflict in Lebanon.
The Israeli security cabinet approved Tuesday evening the American-mediated proposal for a ceasefire with Hezbollah that would see the retreat of the group to the north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region and the deployment there of Lebanese army soldiers.
The agreement, brokered by US special envoy to the region Amos Hochstein, calls for a 60-day period for the withdrawal of both sides and the deployment of the Lebanese soldiers. In parallel, the sides agreed to set up a control mechanism to avoid violations of the deal. The control mechanism will be headed by the United States, with the participation of France and the United Kingdom.
In a pre-recorded address on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would "enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory."
He added, "In full coordination with the United States, we retain complete military freedom of action. Should Hezbollah violate the agreement or attempt to rearm, we will strike decisively."
The ceasefire is expected to go into effect Wednesday morning local time.
Diplomatic sources confirmed to Al-Monitor Monday that the participation of France was one of the last obstacles on the way to a deal. Relations between Israel and France have been especially strained over the past few months over the war in Gaza and the war in Lebanon. According to Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, the agreement should prevent any halt of arms deliveries to Israel by the Biden administration.
Speaking to reporters in Rome Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the ceasefire was in “its final stages.”
“I hope and believe that we can get this over the finish line,” Blinken said, adding that the Biden administration was “absolutely committed” to working with President-elect Donald Trump’s team on the deal’s implementation.
