MONITORING (SW) – As dawn broke in Lebanon, people displaced by months of Israeli attacks have been pictured returning home, despite an Israeli military warning to wait until they are told it is safe to do so as the ceasefire began.
US President Joe Biden’s announcement of a ceasefire deal is set to end more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, reported BBC. Here are some of the details of the deal we’ve learned from officials and media reports:
- It is meant to be a permanent deal: The deal outlines that Hezbollah and Israel will have 60 days to remove its fighters and weapons from the region and the Blue Line – the unofficial border between Lebanon and Israel – and the Litani river, about 30km (20 miles) to the north
- Lebanese troops to replace Hezbollah: The Lebanese army is expected to deploy 5,000 troops to the south under the agreement, according to a US official. But there are questions about whether the country’s military can or would confront Hezbollah forces in the area if needed
- How the ceasefire will be monitored: The US and France are joining the existing tripartite mechanism that was charged with monitoring violations of previous conflicts, which involves Unifil, Lebanon and Israel. Both Israel and Hezbollah have claimed the other violated previous ceasefire agreements
- Israel claims right to respond to violations: Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel would “maintain full freedom of military action” in Lebanon “with the United States’ full understanding”. Netanyahu cited moves like the group attempting to arm itself, rebuilding infrastructure or using rockets as reasons to attack.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw, and that the United States could play a role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was ready to implement a ceasefire deal and would respond forcefully to any violation by Hezbollah, declaring Israel would retain “complete military freedom of action”.
“We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory,” Netanyahu said.
A Hezbollah parliament member in Lebanon, Hassan Fadlallah, said the country faced “dangerous, sensitive hours” during the wait for a possible ceasefire announcement.
However, there was no indication that a truce in Lebanon would hasten a ceasefire and prison-release deal in devastated Gaza.
Israel demands effective UN enforcement of an eventual ceasefire with Lebanon and will show “zero tolerance” toward any infraction, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.
The UN rights chief voiced concern about the escalation of bloodshed in Lebanon and his office said nearly 100 people had been reported killed by Israeli airstrikes in recent days, including women, children and medics.
