Over 100 civilians killed in Lebanon as Israel, Hezbollah deal on ceasefire

Admin I Wednesday, November 27, 2024

WASHINGTON –  The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led Israeli government and the Islamic Resistant in Lebanon,Hezbollah has reached an agreement for ceasefire in hostilities.

The Israeli Defence Forces, IDF however ended the bloodshed with at least 100 civilians killed in Lebanon on Tuesday alone just as Hezbollah fired scores of rockets into Northern Israel.

Outgoing President of the United States, Joe Biden announced the ceasefire deal in Washington.

“Today, I have good news to report from the Middle East.

“I have spoken to the Prime Ministers of Lebanon and Israel. And I am pleased to announce:

“They have accepted the United States’ proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbullah”, he said.

Hours before the announcement, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had hinted that a ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon is “within reach.”

She spoke at the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers in Italy on progress towards a political solution thanks to direct mediation by the United States and France.

The German government had worked intensively on this with “closely coordinated shuttle diplomacy.”

“We are at a critical moment right now – perhaps a moment that also gives us hope,” said Baerbock at the meeting, which is being held in the small town of Fiuggi in central Italy.

However, hope alone should not be relied upon, she said. Close coordination is particularly important, including between the Group of Seven (G7) democratic industrialized nations and Arab countries.

The minister added: “Giving up, despite setbacks, is simply not an option.”

So far details about the ceasefire deal remain sketchy but the American government provided guarantee for the ceasefire deal.

Here are some of the highlights:

– Israel and the US intend to share sensitive intelligence concerning violations, including any infiltration by Hezbullah into the Lebanese army.

– The US may share information provided by Israel with agreed third parties (the Lebanese government and/or the commission) to allow them to address the violation

– The United States is obligated to cooperate with Israel in order to curb Iran’s activities in Lebanon, including preventing the transfer of weapons, affiliates, and others from Iranian territory

– The United States recognizes Israel’s right to respond to threats coming from Lebanese territory in accordance with international law

– In the southern region – Israel reserves the right to act at any time against violations of the commitments

– Outside the southern region, Israel reserves the right to act against the development of threats directed against it, if Lebanon is unable or unwilling to thwart these threats: including the introduction of illegal weapons into Lebanon through borders and crossings

– If Israel decides to take such measures, it will inform the United States of this wherever possible

– Israeli flights over Lebanon will be conducted for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance purposes only, and will not be visible to the unarmed eye as much as possible, and will not break the sound barrier