What we know about Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal US President Joe Biden has announced a ceasefire deal to end 13 months of fighting between Israel and with Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia supported by Iran.
This is what we know about the ceasefire deal from official briefings and media reports.
The ceasefire is meant to be permanent US President Joe Biden told reporters that the agreement was “designed to be a permanent ceasefire”.
Israel says Hezbollah was allowed to build extensive infrastructure in the area, while Lebanon says Israel’s violations included military flights over its territory.
The Israeli demand for the right to strike back is not believed to be part of the ceasefire agreement because it was rejected by Lebanon.
What is known about the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.
After 13 months of fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia, US President Joe Biden has announced a ceasefire agreement.
The US and France said in a joint statement that the deal would “secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations” and end hostilities in Lebanon.
Based on media reports and official briefings, this is what we know about the ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire is intended to last forever.
Reporters were informed by US President Joe Biden that the deal was “designed to be a permanent ceasefire.”.
The ceasefire stipulates that Hezbollah will withdraw its fighters and weapons from the region between the Litani River, which is roughly 30 kilometers (20 miles) to the north, and the Blue Line, which is the unofficial border between Israel and Lebanon, over the course of 60 days.
A senior US official said that Lebanese army forces will replace Hezbollah fighters in that region, making sure that any weapons or infrastructure are taken out and cannot be rebuilt.
Biden stated that Israel will progressively remove its remaining troops and civilians over the same 60 days, allowing people on both sides of the border to go back to their homes.
Hezbollah will be replaced with 5,000 Lebanese troops.
According to a U.S. official, the deal calls for the Lebanese army to send 5,000 troops south.
Questions still surround their role in upholding the ceasefire, though, and whether they would take on Hezbollah if necessary, which could heighten tensions in a nation with deep sectarian divisions.
Contributions from some of Lebanon’s foreign allies could help the Lebanese army meet its obligations under the agreement, but the army has also stated that it lacks the funds, personnel, and equipment necessary to do so.
However, many Western officials claim that Hezbollah has been weakened and that the time has come for the Lebanese government to regain control of the entire country.
France and the United States will oversee implementation.
The deal mainly follows UN Security Council resolution 1701, which put an end to Israel and Hezbollah’s 2006 conflict.
Resolution 1701 states that apart from the Lebanese government and the UN peacekeeping force (Unifil), no armed personnel or weapons should be present in areas south of the Litani.
Both parties, however, asserted that the resolution had been broken.
Israel claims Hezbollah was permitted to erect substantial infrastructure in the region, while Lebanon claims Israel violated its rights by conducting military flights over its territory.
The senior US official stated that the US and France will once again join the current tripartite mechanism, which is tasked with monitoring violations and includes Unifil, Lebanon, and Israel.
“As we’ve done in the past, the Lebanese Armed Forces will receive military support, but there won’t be any US combat troops in the region. However, the Lebanese army and the French military will usually work together in this situation,” the official stated.
Biden made a reference to Israeli concerns when he stated: “The reconstruction of terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon by Hezbollah will not be permitted. “,”.
Israel asserts its right to address infractions.
According to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel would “maintain full freedom of military action” in Lebanon “with the full understanding of the United States.”.
We’ll attack if Hezbollah breaks the deal and tries to arm itself. Attacks will be launched if it attempts to reestablish terrorist infrastructure close to the border. He declared, “We will attack if it launches a rocket, digs a tunnel, or brings in a truck with rockets.”.
“Israel has the right to self-defense in accordance with international law if Hezbollah or anybody else breaches the agreement and directly threatens Israel,” Biden told reporters, endorsing that position. “.
He added, however, that the agreement preserves Lebanon’s independence.
Because it was rejected by Lebanon, the Israeli demand for the right to retaliate is thought to be excluded from the ceasefire agreement. According to media reports, the US would write a letter endorsing Israel’s right to take action in order to circumvent the problem.