Israeli government has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon. This was disclosed by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office last night.
The ceasefire deal, which was brokered by the US and France, is expected to halt the war that has killed almost 3,800 people in Lebanon over the last year and left about 16,000 others wounded. After approval by Israel’s security cabinet, French President Emmanuel Macron and his US counterpart Joe Biden issued a joint statement, committing both nations to work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure the agreement is fully implemented and enforced.
Akashvani’s correspondent reports that the deal requires both Israeli forces and Hezbollah to withdraw from south Lebanon over 60 days, with Hezbollah repositioning north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the border. The Lebanese national army and UN peacekeeping forces would fill the resulting security vacuum.
Lebanon’s foreign minister has already expressed support for the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel retains “full freedom of military action” with US backing and warned of immediate responses to any violations by Hezbollah.
Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined three strategic reasons for the ceasefire – countering Iranian threats, resupplying Israeli forces amid weapons delivery delays, and isolating Hamas by separating conflict fronts. He pointed to delays in weapons and munitions deliveries, noting these issues would soon be resolved with the arrival of advanced weaponry.
