People inspect damage from an Israeli airstrike near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon, October 22, 2024 (Yara Nardi/Reuters)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a halt to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and the Hezbollah organization.
In a televised address to the nation, Netanyahu said he was ready to implement a 60-day ceasefire. However, he proclaimed that Israel retains “complete military freedom of action” in the event of a perceived infringement by Hezbollah.
“We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli Cabinet approved the deal 10-1, despite criticism from hard-right Ministers.
Under the terms, Israeli forces will withdraw from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah will move heavy weaponry north of the Litani River, around 16 miles north of the border.
Mirroring Netanyahu’s remarks, Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah said the group retains the right to defend itself if Israel attacked.
Israeli Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee addressed Lebanese civilians:
With the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement and based on its provisions, the IDF remains deployed in its positions inside southern Lebanon/
You are prohibited from heading towards the villages that the IDF has ordered to be evacuated or towards IDF forces in the area.
But Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called on residents to reinhabit the area: “I invite you to return to your homes. Return to your land…even if you live above the rubble.”
Hundreds of families were on the move, whooping as they drove into areas such as Tyre, the second-largest city in the south. Groups lined the roads near Saida, waving and cheering as cars passed by.
“Now we’re returning! We’re just waiting for authorization from the army and we’ll go straight to the village — even though there are no houses left,” said Rita Darwish, a displaced resident of Dheira.
Ahmad Husseini, returning to a coastal city, spoke of his “indescribable feeling” and praised Berri, who led Lebanon’s negotiations with the US: “He made us and everyone proud.”
The Decimation of Hezbollah and Destruction of Lebanon
Israel stepped up attacks on Hezbollah from September, beginning with detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies that killed hundreds and wounded thousands across Lebanon.
Israel decimated Hezbollah’s command with targeted assassinations and bombings. On September 27, the group’s overall leader Hassan Nasrallah was slain in the destruction of a block of buildings in southern Beirut.
The Israelis continued airstrikes across the country and launched an invasion of the south, occupying a corrider along the border.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli strikes have killed at least 3,768 people and wounded 15,699 since October 2023.
In the hours before the ceasefire took effect at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Israel’s military claimed strikes on dozens of Hezbollah sites including command centres, weapons depots, and infrastructure used by elite Radwan Force. Israel also bombed bombed all three of Lebanon’s border crossings with Syria.
“War Continues to Plague Gaza”
Speaking from the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden said:
This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities. What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations will not be allowed, I emphasize, will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.
Today’s announcement is a critical step…and so I applaud the courageous decision made by the leaders of Lebanon and Israel to end the violence. It reminds us that peace is possible. Say that again, peace is possible.
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the deal as “the culmination of efforts undertaken for many months with the Israeli and Lebanese authorities, in close collaboration with the United States”.
Macron noted that Netanyahu’s open-ended war, which has taken more than 43,000 lives, continues on Gaza:
We must not forget that war continues to plague Gaza, where France will continue its efforts for an end of hostilities, the liberation of hostages and massive delivery of humanitarian aid.
This accord should also open the way for a ceasefire which has taken too long to arrive in the face of the immeasurable suffering of the people of Gaza.
