Israel-Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire, Biden: Permanent End Of Hostilities

Lebanese / DOC Refugeesmen UNICEF / Dar al Mussawir / Ramzi Haidar

JAKARTA - The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday after both sides received an agreement brokered by the United States and France.

The agreement paved the way for an end to the Israeli-Lebanon border that has killed thousands of people since the conflict was sparked by the Gaza war last year.

US President Joe Biden, who made a statement at the White House shortly after Israel's security cabinet approved the agreement with a vote of 10-1, said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

"It's designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities," Biden said.

"What's left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten Israel's security anymore," he added.

Israel will gradually withdraw its troops for 60 days when the Lebanese army takes over territory near its border with Israel to ensure Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure there.

"Citizens on both sides will soon be able to return safely to their communities," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the signing of the agreement, saying it was the culmination of months of efforts by Israeli and Lebanese authorities in close cooperation with the United States.

Mikati from Lebanon issued a statement welcoming the deal.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib previously said Lebanese soldiers would be ready to deploy at least 5,000 troops in southern Lebanon following the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said he was ready to implement a ceasefire agreement and would respond firmly to any violations committed by Hezbollah.

Netanyahu, who faced resistance from within his coalition government, said the ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on threats from Iran, recharge depleted weapons supplies and provide rest to the army, and to isolate Hamas.

"We will enforce the agreement and respond firmly to every violation. Together, we will continue until victory," said Netanyahu.

"In full coordination with the United States, we maintain the freedom to act fully in the military. If Hezbollah violates the agreement or seeks to reactivate, we will attack firmly," he stressed.

Netanyahu said Hezbollah, which is allied with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was much weaker than at the start of the conflict.

"We have made them retreat for decades, eliminated its main leaders, destroyed most of its rockets and missiles, neutralized thousands of fighters, and eliminated the terror infrastructure that has for years been near our borders," he said.