- Ceasefire to Begin Wednesday Morning
Femi Ashekun/
Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire to end over a year of fighting linked to the Gaza war.
The truce, set to take effect at 4am tomorrow, aims to ease regional tensions but leaves the Gaza conflict unresolved, where hostilities persist and dozens remain hostage.
Hours before the ceasefire announcement, Israel launched its most aggressive strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon since the conflict began, killing at least 24 people, according to Lebanese authorities.
Evacuation warnings triggered mass panic, with gridlocked streets and residents fleeing under the hum of Israeli drones.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised Israel’s right to retaliate if Hezbollah violates the truce, a point rejected by Lebanese and Hezbollah officials.
The deal includes a two-month halt in fighting, Hezbollah’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and deployment of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers to monitor compliance.
President Joe Biden called the agreement “good news” and reaffirmed US support for Israel’s security.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime, Minister Najib Mikati, hailed the deal as a step toward stability, though Hezbollah expressed concerns over sovereignty.
The 14-month conflict has killed over 3,760 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and displaced 1.2 million. Israel has reported at least 75 deaths, including civilians and soldiers.
Despite the ceasefire, Netanyahu warned, “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement, we will attack with might.”
The truce is seen as a crucial move to prevent broader war but leaves many unresolved tensions in the volatile region.
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