Photo: AP file
Israel has reached a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, as reported by Israel's Channel 12 television on Tuesday. This development paves the way for an end to the conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, which has claimed thousands of lives since it was sparked by the Gaza war last year. The ceasefire is expected to come into effect on Wednesday. The Channel 12 report followed a meeting of Israel's security cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the ceasefire deal. Israeli approval of the deal would enable a ceasefire declaration by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to four senior Lebanese sources who spoke to Reuters on Monday.
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, hostilities continued as Israel intensified its air strikes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon. The ceasefire agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army taking over the region. Hezbollah would cease its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib stated that the Lebanese army would be ready to deploy at least 5,000 troops in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw, and that the United States could assist in rebuilding infrastructure damaged by Israeli strikes.
Israel demands effective UN enforcement of the ceasefire with Lebanon and will show 'zero tolerance' toward any violations, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz. In the hours leading up to the announcement, Israeli strikes targeted more areas of Beirut's densely-populated southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. The Israeli military reported hitting 20 targets in the city within 120 seconds, resulting in at least seven deaths and 37 injuries, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israel issued its largest evacuation warning yet, advising civilians to leave 20 locations. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that the air force was conducting a 'widespread attack' on Hezbollah targets across the city.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah continued its rocket attacks into Israel. The UN rights chief expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Lebanon, with his office reporting nearly 100 deaths from Israeli airstrikes in recent days, including women, children, and medics. Israel has inflicted significant damage on Hezbollah since launching its offensive against the group in September, killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top commanders, and targeting areas of Lebanon where the group holds sway.
Over the past year, more than 3,750 people have been killed in Lebanon, and over one million have been displaced, according to Lebanon's health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures. Hezbollah strikes have resulted in the deaths of 45 civilians in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. At least 73 Israeli soldiers have been killed in northern Israel, the Golan Heights, and in combat in southern Lebanon, according to Israeli authorities.
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