As the ceasefire took hold, bursts of gunfire were heard in Beirut, although it was unclear whether the shots were celebratory or intended as warnings for residents.
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire comes into effect, civilians head back to south Lebanon. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the United States and France, came into effect early Wednesday, halting months of intense fighting along the Israeli-Lebanese border. The agreement, which aims to bring a permanent cessation of hostilities, offers a rare diplomatic breakthrough in a region battered by years of conflict.
The ceasefire was announced after Israel’s security cabinet voted 10-1 in favor of the deal, with President Joe Biden confirming the end of hostilities at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT). “This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” Biden stated, emphasizing that Hezbollah and other groups would not be allowed to threaten Israel’s security again. Over the next 60 days, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces, while the Lebanese military takes control of the region near the border.
The conflict, which began amid the violence following last year’s Gaza war, has claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction in southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati, welcomed the ceasefire, while the Lebanese army prepared to deploy 5,000 troops to secure the region.
As the ceasefire took hold, bursts of gunfire were heard in Beirut, although it was unclear whether the shots were celebratory or intended as warnings for residents. In southern Lebanon, many displaced families began to return to their homes despite concerns over ongoing Israeli operations and the destruction left in the wake of the fighting. Some expressed hesitation, waiting for further assurances from Lebanon’s army before making the journey.
Hezbollah, which has not formally commented on the ceasefire, expressed support for the extension of Lebanese state authority but vowed that the group would emerge stronger from the conflict. Senior official Hassan Fadlallah also stated that Hezbollah’s resistance efforts would only grow stronger, rejecting Israeli proposals to disarm the group.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that the Israeli military would respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire, citing the significant damage done to Hezbollah’s infrastructure and leadership during the conflict. He added that the ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on broader regional security concerns, particularly the threat from Iran and the situation in Gaza.
The U.S. and France have committed to monitoring the ceasefire alongside the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), with the goal of preventing violations and ensuring long-term stability. The international community has hailed the agreement as a step toward easing tensions in the region, though some analysts remain skeptical about its durability given the complex and volatile dynamics at play.
Despite the hopeful tone of the ceasefire, challenges remain. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, continues to pose a significant threat to Israeli security, and the broader regional situation, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza, remains precarious. Nonetheless, this ceasefire marks a rare diplomatic victory at a time when the region remains deeply divided by wars, political instability, and ongoing humanitarian crises.
