Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah to Be Announced Tonight

A historic ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah is set to be announced tonight, with the truce expected to take effect on Wednesday. The deal, brokered by the United States and France, will temporarily halt hostilities that have plagued the region for months.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is scheduled to deliver a statement welcoming the agreement, while Israel’s government is expected to give final approval during a cabinet meeting. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has vowed to respond forcefully to any violations, warning Hezbollah against exploiting the truce to rebuild its military presence.

“We will act against any threat, anytime and anywhere,” Katz told UN Special Envoy for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to preventing Hezbollah from regaining strength near the border.

The ceasefire terms include a 60-day period during which Israeli forces will withdraw from southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy 5,000 troops in the region. Hezbollah is required to cease its armed activities south of the Litani River, aligning with the long-standing but weakly enforced UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Hezbollah has long maintained a significant military presence near Israel’s border, constructing tunnels, stockpiling weapons, and planning attacks. Israel’s recent military campaign included airstrikes and ground incursions to dismantle this infrastructure.

Defense Minister Katz warned that Israel would monitor the truce closely. “Every house in southern Lebanon that is rebuilt and in which a terrorist base is established will be demolished,” Katz said. “Every rearming and regrouping by terrorists will be attacked.”

Responsibility for maintaining the ceasefire lies with the Lebanese army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). UNIFIL, which has faced criticism for its inability to enforce demilitarization, will work alongside the Lebanese government to implement the agreement. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed optimism, highlighting U.S. aid as critical for rebuilding infrastructure destroyed during recent Israeli strikes.

Israeli officials insist that strict oversight is essential to prevent arms smuggling and domestic weapons production by Hezbollah. “If you don’t do it, we will,” Katz warned UN officials.

As tensions ease, the world watches closely to see if this ceasefire will bring lasting peace or serve as a temporary pause in the conflict. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for continued updates on developments in the region.