U.S- Brokered Ceasefire Brings Temporary Calm Between Israel and Hezbollah Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions

A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah held firm on Wednesday following a landmark agreement brokered by the U.S. and France. The deal is being hailed as a rare diplomatic success in a region ravaged by conflict for over a year.

Lebanon’s army, tasked with upholding the truce, announced preparations to deploy to the southern border. This area was heavily bombarded during Israel's offensive against Hezbollah, alongside strikes on eastern towns and Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs. Civilians displaced by the fighting have been advised to delay returning until Israeli forces, which advanced up to 6 kilometers into Lebanon, fully withdraw.

The ceasefire agreement aims to end a border conflict ignited by last year’s Gaza war, which has claimed thousands of lives. This diplomatic breakthrough comes as U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration enters its final days, marking a significant achievement.

The deal also positions Israel to concentrate efforts on its ongoing conflict in Gaza, where it seeks to dismantle Hamas, the group behind the devastating October 7, 2023, attacks. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized the importance of dialogue, calling for similar efforts to resolve the Gaza crisis.

In Lebanon, residents cautiously celebrated the ceasefire, though many border villages remain uninhabitable due to extensive destruction. Cars laden with belongings streamed southwards, while others awaited confirmation of Israeli withdrawal.

President Biden, addressing the agreement, stressed that the ceasefire aims to achieve a lasting peace, with Israel gradually withdrawing forces over 60 days as Lebanon's army assumes control of the border areas. The international community, including Egypt, Qatar, and Iran, welcomed the truce and expressed hopes for its replication in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted the agreement as an opportunity to focus on broader regional threats, notably Iran, and to replenish military resources. He asserted that Hezbollah had been significantly weakened during the conflict, with key leadership losses and the destruction of much of its missile arsenal.

The success of this ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope in a region yearning for stability, though the path to enduring peace remains fraught with challenges.