Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, signaling a potential end to months of intense conflict along Israel’s northern border. Announcing the decision on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu stated that his cabinet would be briefed on the agreement, which was brokered through a U.S.-led mediation effort with Lebanon’s government.
Netanyahu emphasized that the truce would allow displaced families to return to northern Israel and shift Israel’s strategic focus to addressing the Iranian threat. However, he clarified that Israel would retain the “full freedom” to act in Lebanon if necessary.
The ceasefire negotiations were based on the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which previously ended hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. While some members of Netanyahu’s cabinet expressed opposition to the deal, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of maintaining flexibility depending on developments in Lebanon.
The agreement follows months of clashes that escalated in September, involving Israeli air and ground offensives in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has also voiced support for the truce, urging its immediate implementation amid continued airstrikes in Beirut’s Hamra district.
The Lebanese Health Ministry estimates that over 3,750 people have been killed in the conflict since October 2023, with the majority of casualties occurring since September.
American officials overseeing the negotiations remain optimistic about the progress toward finalizing the ceasefire.
