Israel’s security cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement with the Hezbollah group in Lebanon, according to Channel 12 and the Reuters agency. The cessation of hostilities is expected to take effect tomorrow, Wednesday, marking a possible turning point after months of intense fighting.
This was confirmed by the Israeli president, Benjamin Netanyahu, in a speech to the nation, putting an end to the speculation of recent days regarding a possible agreement. Earlier, Netanyahu had assembled his security cabinet, and some of his most prominent ministers had held top-level talks on this very issue.
The ceasefire calls for a 60-day suspension of hostilities, which some observers see as a possible prelude to a more lasting agreement. Since the start of the conflict in September, the Israeli offensive in Lebanon has killed more than 3,000 people and displaced more than a million.
Bombings in Beirut before the announcement
Hours before the announcement, the Israeli army bombed a building near a mosque in the Nuweiri neighborhood of central Beirut. These attacks come against a backdrop of extreme tensions, as both sides considered a US-backed deal.
US position
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the deal “will make a big difference in saving lives and livelihoods in both Lebanon and Israel.” He added that the ceasefire will allow displaced people to return to their homes safely in northern Israel and southern Lebanon.
Additionally, Blinken noted that this deal could put pressure on Hamas in Gaza, making it difficult for the group to expect support from other fronts in the conflict.
