What we’re discussing
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been established in Lebanon, which might end months of a full-scale conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and more than a year of cross-border attacks.
The deal stipulates a 60-day halt in hostilities, which negotiators have described as the foundation of a lasting truce. In that time, Hezbollah fighters are expected to retreat 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Israel border, while Israeli ground forces should withdraw from Lebanese territory.
In the hours preceding the deal, Israel’s military launched one of the most severe bombardments since the beginning of the conflict, bombing the southern suburbs of Beirut 20 times in two minutes. At least 25 people were killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon on Tuesday, including at least 10 in central Beirut.
As it gets ready to deploy, the Lebanese army advises displaced people to postpone going back to the south.
Lebanon’s army has called on displaced residents from the south of the country to delay their return home following a ceasefire that began on Wednesday.
The army stated on X that it is taking the required steps to finish its deployment in the south as required by the Lebanese government as the truce takes effect.
According to the ceasefire agreement, only the Lebanese military and UN personnel are permitted to have weapons south of the Litani River.
Lebanese national news agency NNA said that displaced people in the Beqaa valley and southern Lebanon started driving back home in convoys on Wednesday morning. The army advised locals to remain vigilant for “suspicious objects left behind by the Israeli forces” including unexploded weaponry.
Lebanese citizens who have been displaced by fighting and evacuation orders have also received warnings from Israel’s military not to go back to their houses in southern Lebanon right away.
Following the implementation of a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, displaced people in Lebanon started to return to their homes on Wednesday morning, according to Lebanese state media.
According to state-run news agency NNA, traffic had backed up on the routes that go to southern Lebanon and the eastern Beqaa valley, even though the Israeli military had warned displaced southern residents not to go back home just yet.
Lines of cars were seen traveling on the main route leading to Tyre, a city in the south, in footage taken by the Reuters news agency in the hours after the truce. The United Nations refugee agency reports that over a year of war has resulted in the displacement of at least 1.3 million people in Lebanon.
Israeli military are required to leave Lebanon within 60 days as part of the ceasefire agreement. Hezbollah fighters are also anticipated to withdraw 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Israeli border during that period. However, the withdrawals might take a while.
As the ceasefire begins, Hezbollah supporters in southern Beirut wave flags.
With the approval of a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah by Israel’s security cabinet, over a year of cross-border violence and months of a full-scale conflict that has claimed thousands of lives may come to an end. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, stated that he desired the ceasefire for three major reasons: to “focus on the Iranian threat,” to provide a respite for Israeli troops, and to put further pressure on Hamas.
Netanyahu thanked President Joe Biden for his participation in the deal during their conversation. Biden hailed French President Emmanuel Macron, who also assisted in mediating the agreement, while outlining some of the terms of the agreement from the White House.
How Israel and Hezbollah arrived here
A day after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and seizing over 250 captives, sparking the continuing tragic conflict in Gaza, Hezbollah started shooting missiles at Israeli territory almost every day.
Hezbollah’s then-leader, Hassan Nasrallah, promised to keep shooting at Israel until it stopped its attack in Gaza. Following that, there were frequent gunfights between Israel and the militant group supported by Iran, raising concerns that the violence would escalate into a larger regional battle.
The return of people displaced in the northern region of the country, where Hezbollah’s rocket fire has forced over 60,000 Israelis to from their homes, was added to Israel’s declared war objectives by the war council on September 16. A few hours later, Israel
Israel killed dozens and injured hundreds when it destroyed thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members a few hours later. The following day, the group’s walkie-talkies were attacked.
Israel started a full-scale onslaught on Shia-majority areas of the country where Hezbollah has considerable influence on September 23. This was the worst day for Lebanon since the end of its civil war in 1990, killing over 500 people.
In the worst day for Lebanon since the end of its civil war in 1990, Israel launched a full-scale offensive on Shia-majority districts across the country where Hezbollah has significant influence on September 23. The attack killed over 500 people.
More than 3,700 people were killed as Israeli attacks continued to ravage broad areas of the country, primarily the Shia-majority south, east, and the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh.
An agreement to cease the war with Hezbollah was reached between Israel and Lebanon on November 26 and went into effect early the next day.