U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the United States, will take effect at 4 a.m. GMT on Wednesday. The agreement, approved by Israel’s cabinet on Tuesday evening, follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recommendation made earlier that day.
The ceasefire is set to last for 60 days initially. However, Netanyahu warned that its duration depends on developments in Lebanon. He emphasized Israel’s continued military freedom, stating, “If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to arm itself, we will attack. If it tries to renew terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack.”
Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, Biden hailed the agreement as a major step forward, saying it “heralds a new start for Lebanon” after the most intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in decades. The deal has been regarded as a significant accomplishment for Biden’s foreign policy legacy.
In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, the Israeli military issued widespread evacuation warnings, including in parts of Beirut previously untouched. The heightened military activity—such as Israeli ground troops reaching Lebanon’s Litani River for the first time during the conflict—indicated an effort to maximize pressure on Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continued rocket attacks, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Despite the intense fighting, Lebanese officials stated that Hezbollah supports the ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire does not extend to Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hamas in Gaza, which remain unresolved as intense fighting continues.
