Israel has reached a deal with Hezbollah. Within 60 days, both sides are to withdraw their troops from southern Lebanon
Following negotiations mediated by the U.S. and France, a ceasefire with Hezbollah terrorists began today. This agreement marks a rare success for diplomatic efforts and brings hope to thousands in Lebanon and Israel who were forced to flee their homes. Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters are set to withdraw over the next 60 days, allowing the Lebanese army to regain control of southern Lebanon and oversee the ceasefire. According to Washington, this arrangement is intended to be permanent. Meanwhile, after months of stagnation, there is potential progress in negotiations with Hamas regarding the release of hostages from the Gaza Strip. In the days leading up to the agreement, Israeli forces intensified attacks in Lebanon and Gaza, as well as launched strikes against pro-Iranian forces in Syria. Islamic radicals continued firing rockets at Israeli towns until the ceasefire was finalized.
A total of 92 members of pro-Iranian groups were killed: 61 were Syrians, 11 had Hezbollah links, 27 were foreign fighters mostly from the Iraqi militant group al-Nujaba, and 4 were directly affiliated with Hezbollah. This is the reported toll from one of the largest Israeli army strikes in the Syrian city of Palmyra, carried out just days before the conclusion of the Israeli agreement with Hezbollah, according to the exiled Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in Britain. The attack targeted three sites around the ancient city: one struck a gathering of militants linked to Iran, while another targeted Iraqi and Lebanese commanders present in the area. This strike, in yet another of the region’s conflict zones, occurred amid ongoing operations in both the Gaza Strip—where Israeli forces are advancing mainly in the north and in the capital, with new evacuation zones declared—and in Lebanon, where airstrikes continued until the final hours before the agreement. These strikes targeted Islamist positions in the south of the country as well as in central Beirut.
🎥 WATCH the IAF dismantle 45+ of Hezbollah’s launchers all over southern Lebanon.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 22, 2024
This week, Hezbollah fired countless rockets toward several areas of Israel and endangered the lives of millions of Israelis who had to run to shelter.
Whether it is from land, air, or sea, we… pic.twitter.com/k6O3rtgu0G
According to some experts, the latest waves of attacks have been intensified to force the opposing sides to compromise and agree on a ceasefire. This strategy appears to have been successful. On Wednesday, November 27, a long-negotiated ceasefire went into effect, temporarily ending a 13-month conflict with the enemy north of Israel's border. The agreement specifies a 60-day period during which Hezbollah fighters will be replaced by the Lebanese army, and Israeli forces will withdraw from the area between the Blue Line—Israel's border with Lebanon—and the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers to the north. The Lebanese army is also tasked with overseeing the destruction of the remaining terrorist infrastructure and clearing the zone of weapons, as stipulated by UN Resolution 1701, which ended the war in 2006.
UNIFIL troops deployed to assist with this effort are expected to bring hope to the thousands of people on both sides of the border who were displaced by massive shelling. These individuals may gradually begin returning to their homes.
"It is designed to bring a permanent halt to the conflict. What remains of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will no longer be able to threaten Israel's security," U.S. President Joe Biden said of the agreement, according to Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the Jewish state retains full freedom to intervene militarily in response to any future Hezbollah attacks, a stance supported by the U.S. "If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack. If they try to rebuild terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If they launch a rocket, dig a tunnel, or bring in a truckload of rockets, we will attack," Netanyahu insisted, according to the BBC.
Negotiations are also currently underway with Hamas regarding operations in the Gaza Strip and the hostages. In both cases, Iran-linked terrorist organizations have suffered heavy losses in recent months, with their leadership in disarray and thousands of fighters dead. This is why representatives—not only from the West—are now optimistic about a possible ceasefire in Gaza. Disastrous humanitarian conditions and ongoing Israeli strikes, which have had a devastating effect on Hamas, have led to a growing apathy among this pro-Iranian group, pushing them to negotiate. From the Israeli perspective, the main goals are: 1) to free the fewer than 100 remaining hostages and 2) to end operations in Gaza.
This dynamic is now changing, according to a senior Israeli army official cited by The Times of Israel. The official noted that while the militants refuse to surrender, they appear willing to agree to a deal that does not explicitly mention an end to the war. Similar to the agreement in Lebanon, the deal is expected to include a ceasefire phase—this time lasting 42 days—during which the remaining kidnapped Israelis would be released. Of the 97 still missing, at least 34 are confirmed dead, according to the Israeli army.
However, a recent decision by the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague complicates matters for Israel diplomatically. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and former Hamas commander Muhammad Deif, whom Israel claims is already deceased. Israel condemned the move as anti-Semitic and unjust, asserting that Palestinian radicals have engaged in genocidal efforts. Allies of Israel echoed these sentiments, with the U.S. administration labeling the decision "outrageous" and reaffirming its unwavering support for Israel.
