The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah has officially come into effect in Lebanon, following a timeline laid out by US President Joe Biden. According to Biden, the arrangement aims to establish a “permanent cessation of hostilities.” He further stated that the United States is prepared to lead efforts for a similar ceasefire and hostage negotiation in Gaza.
The terms of the agreement include a 60-day pause in hostilities. During this period, Hezbollah forces are expected to withdraw 40 kilometers (approximately 25 miles) from Israel’s border. In parallel, Israeli ground troops are required to retreat from Lebanese territory. Negotiators have described this arrangement as a stepping stone toward a lasting truce.
In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, Israeli forces launched one of their most intense bombardments of the conflict, targeting southern suburbs of Beirut. The strikes occurred within a span of two minutes, during which 20 bombs were dropped. Tuesday’s attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 25 individuals, with 10 of those casualties reported in central Beirut.
President Biden has reiterated his commitment to facilitating peace in the region, expressing optimism about the ceasefire’s potential to reduce tensions and pave the way for long-term solutions.
