A ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah came into force on Wednesday (Nov 27) in a deal brokered by the US and France. It is seen as a diplomatic victory for the war-torn region for more than a year. British news agency Reuters reported this.
The Lebanese army, which is responsible for the implementation of the ceasefire, said in a statement that preparations are being made for the deployment of troops in the southern part of the country. In addition, they requested the residents of the border villages not to return to their areas until the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Israeli forces have already launched several operations against Hezbollah and penetrated into the interior of Lebanon up to about six kilometers.
The Israeli-Lebanon conflict, which began in the context of the Gaza war, has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. The agreement to end the conflict is seen as a major achievement for the United States in the last term of the Biden administration. Biden also said the administration is working toward a ceasefire in Gaza. Besides, there is also the possibility of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Gunshots were heard in the Lebanese capital Beirut at 2 a.m. local time after the ceasefire took effect. However, it was not immediately clear whether these were celebratory. Earlier, Israeli forces fired warning shots.
Afterwards, locals were seen returning home in cars and vans to the port of Tire in southern Lebanon. The cars were loaded with mattresses, suitcases and furniture. Lebanese flags are also seen flying on some cars.
Most of the villages to which people are returning have been reduced to rubble. Yet many families were financially strapped under the pressure of renting alternative accommodation. It is better for them to go back to the ruined house to avoid the expense.
However, many are hesitant to go back. Hussam Arout, a resident of Mais al-Jabal, a village on the southern border, displaced from southern Beirut, said he was impatient to return to his ancestral home.
He said the Israelis had not completely withdrawn. They are still at the border. So we are waiting for the army's announcement. We will drive back to the village only if they give assurance.
According to the agreement, Israel will complete the step-by-step withdrawal of troops within the next 60 days. The Lebanese army will take over the border areas to prevent Hezbollah from regrouping there.
Hezbollah has not officially commented on the ceasefire, but the group's top official, Hassan Fadlallah, told Lebanon's Al-Jadid TV that the deal would help expand state authority.
He claimed that thousands of people will now join them. Israeli efforts to disarm them have failed.
The ceasefire was welcomed by Iran, which backs Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.
Lebanon's interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib welcomed the deal. Habib said that at least 5,000 troops will be deployed in southern Lebanon during the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would implement the cease-fire but would face an appropriate response if Hezbollah violated it. However, he also claimed that Hezbollah has become much weaker than it was at the beginning of the conflict.
He said, Hezbollah has been set back by decades. Their top leaders were killed and thousands of members were disabled. Most of their rockets and missiles have been destroyed. Their party structure has been dismantled.
