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Lebanon and Israel have officially ended more than a year of hostilities in the Middle East with a ceasefire announced.
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The 13-point agreement will reportedly include conditions such as the withdrawal of Israeli forces and armed Hezbollah forces from southern Lebanon over 60 days.
In addition, the Lebanese government has reportedly agreed to prevent Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon from carrying out operations against Israel. Israel has agreed not to carry out offensive military operations against Lebanese targets in Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, speaking in an official statement released on 27 November, said the activity in Lebanon was very determined, the enforcement of the ceasefire agreement will be even more determined.
“With determination, according to the guidelines approved yesterday by the minister of defense, the prime minister, and the cabinet, Hezbollah operatives who approach our troops, the border area, and the villages within the area we have marked – will be struck,” he said.
“We do not intend to spend months in war, displace people from their homes, and not return them now safely.
“There are ground troops, troops from the Ground Forces and the Northern Command, they are the first to encounter those returning to the villages with a warning, with fire, with capabilities and mostly with air support.
“There are aerial assets constantly airborne and naval vessels gathering information and also capable of striking in the western sector.
“Above all, we are preparing, getting ready for the possibility that this approach won’t succeed, we will know how to analyse it again, cut deeper, and it will be stronger.
“We are very, very determined to enforce the guidelines and bring about a completely different reality to the residents of the north.”
The announcement of cessation of hostilities was also welcomed by President Joe Biden of the United States and President Emmanuel Macron of France in a joint statement.
“After many weeks of tireless diplomacy, Israel and Lebanon have accepted a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon,” the leaders said.
“The announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations operating from Lebanon. This announcement will create the conditions to restore lasting calm and allow residents in both countries to return safely to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line.
“The United States and France will work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented and enforced, and we remain determined to prevent this conflict from becoming another cycle of violence.
“The United States and France also commit to lead and support international efforts for capacity-building of the Lebanese Armed Forces as well as economic development throughout Lebanon to advance stability and prosperity in the region.”
