Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, following months of escalating clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border.
The truce, brokered by the United States and based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, seeks to halt hostilities that have displaced thousands in northern Israel since September.
In a televised address on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu outlined the agreement’s terms, emphasising Israel’s readiness to enforce the truce and respond to any violations.
“The length of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon. We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. We will continue united until victory,” he said.
Netanyahu highlighted that the ceasefire would enable displaced residents to return home and allow Israel to concentrate on countering broader threats from Iran and increasing pressure on Hamas.
He declared that Hezbollah’s capabilities had been significantly diminished during the conflict.
“We have pushed them decades back,” he said, stressing Israel’s continued freedom to act against threats in Lebanon.
The conflict, which escalated in late September, has caused substantial destruction in southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut. According to the Lebanese health ministry, over 3,700 people have been killed since October 2023, with most casualties recorded in recent months.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and called for its swift implementation to end the ongoing devastation.
US officials involved in mediating the truce expressed optimism about its potential to restore calm and facilitate humanitarian aid in affected regions.
