Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire welcomed worldwide 

The ceasefire began to be implemented at midnight amid rapidly evolving developments on the ground and differing positions regarding the terms of the truce and prospects for sustaining it.

Trump said, via Truth Social platform, that he held “excellent conversations” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting that a 10-day ceasefire had been agreed upon, starting at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time in the USA. 

He added that the two parties may move toward a direct meeting at the White House in the coming days if the truce holds.

In a notable development, both Hezbollah and Israel announced their commitment to the ceasefire, though differences in conditions and interpretations were recorded. Hezbollah stressed that its adherence is contingent on a comprehensive halt to hostilities, and on the truce not being exploited for assassinations or military operations, as well as restricting Israeli movements near the border.

In contrast, Netanyahu stated that Tel Aviv agreed to the truce while maintaining a “security zone” extending 10 kilometers into southern Lebanon, linking the ceasefire to the disarmament of Hezbollah and the achievement of a permanent peace agreement “based on strength.”

As the agreement came into effect, several Lebanese areas, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, witnessed celebratory gunfire, while displaced residents began returning to parts of the south amid security caution over the situation on the ground.

Several countries, including France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the European Commission, welcomed the agreement, calling for the consolidation of the ceasefire and support for Lebanese sovereignty. The United Nations also urged all parties to adhere to the truce and avoid escalation.

Meanwhile, Iran viewed the ceasefire in Lebanon as part of broader understandings linked to the regional file, while Washington and Tel Aviv stressed that the Lebanese track is separate from negotiations with Tehran.

On the ground, the hours before and after the ceasefire took effect saw mutual violations, including Israeli strikes on southern areas, rocket fire from southern Lebanon, and continued drone flights.

Military operations over the past months have resulted in the deaths of more than 2,100 people in Lebanon and widespread displacement. The Lebanese army also reported that some Israeli strikes had “isolated areas south of the Litani River from the north,” with tensions continuing along the border.

A-H 

ANHA