Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Deal Reached Amidst Ongoing Tensions

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the United States and France, came into effect on November 27 at 4 am local time. The deal, approved by Israel's security cabinet, aims to halt over a year of violence along the Israel-Lebanon border, which has left nearly 3,800 people dead and over 16,000 wounded in Lebanon.

The ceasefire calls for Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon over a 60-day period, while Lebanon’s army will take control of the region to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its infrastructure. Both French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden have pledged to support the full implementation of the agreement and efforts to rebuild Lebanon’s military and economy.

However, despite the diplomatic breakthrough, hostilities continued on the day the ceasefire was announced, with Israeli military operations intensifying in Beirut and Hezbollah maintaining rocket fire into Israel. The conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives since its escalation in 2023, remains a significant challenge for regional stability.

The international community, including the U.S. and France, has expressed commitment to preventing further violence and supporting Lebanon’s recovery efforts, but the situation remains fragile.