A cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the U.S. and France, began in Lebanon, raising hopes of ending a year-long conflict that has resulted in thousands of deaths. The cease-fire, approved by Israel’s security cabinet and announced by President Joe Biden, appeared to be holding in the initial hours after coming into effect. The war between Israel and Hezbollah was triggered by fighting in Gaza, where Israel was targeting Hamas, a key ally of Hezbollah supported by Iran.
The terms of the cease-fire agreement include a 60-day pause in hostilities to allow Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon to withdraw from the border area, with Israel gradually pulling back its forces. The U.S. and France will monitor the implementation of the deal, following a UN Security Council resolution that ended a previous war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. However, the agreement does not address the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Hamas has launched attacks on Israeli communities resulting in many casualties.
Hezbollah had previously stated it would only stop its attacks on Israel if Israel ceased fighting in Gaza. The cease-fire may lead to Hamas considering a truce if it holds, potentially easing tensions in the region. The involvement of international mediators and the temporary nature of the agreement suggest a cautious optimism for peace in the Middle East.
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