Ceasefire Brings Temporary Calm to Israel-Lebanon Border
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire, ending weeks of fighting along the Lebanon-Israel border. The agreement, approved by Israel’s security cabinet with a vote of 10 to 1, came into effect at 4 a.m. local time on November 27.
Terms of the Truce
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hezbollah and all other Lebanese armed groups have pledged to cease attacks on Israel. In return, Israel’s armed forces will halt airstrikes and shelling on targets in Lebanon. Both sides retain the right to self-defense. Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces (ISF) and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will be solely responsible for carrying weapons and deploying forces in southern Lebanon.
A Conflict Rooted in Regional Tensions
The recent fighting was a spillover from the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since October 7th of last year, Hezbollah has been engaged in sporadic exchanges of fire with Israeli forces across the border, providing support to Hamas, the militant group battling Israel in the Gaza Strip. In response, Israel launched airstrikes and shelling campaigns against Hezbollah. Tensions escalated sharply in September, resulting in significant casualties, particularly among Lebanese civilians.
Strategic Considerations
The ceasefire agreement is seen by analysts as a calculated move by all parties involved, driven by strategic considerations. For Israel, the agreement offers a chance to re-evaluate its approach to the region, deal with the threat posed by Iran, and allow its troops to rest and replenish their weapons stockpiles. By halting the fighting in the north, Israel aims to focus its resources on countering Hamas in the Gaza Strip and isolating the militant group from its allies.
Hezbollah’s Perspective
For Hezbollah, the truce provides an opportunity to regroup and conserve its resources. The fast-approaching Lebanese general election adds a further layer of complexity. Prolonged involvement in a conflict with Israel could alienate voters and weaken Hezbollah’s political standing.
The agreement is also viewed as a diplomatic win for the Biden administration. With his term ending in January, President Biden is eager to leave a legacy of foreign policy success. Securing a ceasefire in a volatile region before leaving office strengthens this narrative.
Long-Term Peace Elusive
While the ceasefire brngs some relief to both sides, deeper underlying issues remain unresolved.
As long as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensifies, achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East will prove challenging. Only a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution to the Palestinian question, addressing the root causes of discontent and violence, can pave the way for true and enduring peace in the region.
What are the terms of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah?
## Ceasefire Brings Temporary Calm to Israel-Lebanon Border
**Host:** Joining us today to discuss the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah is Dr. Sarah Cohen, a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute. Dr. Cohen, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Cohen:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Host:** After weeks of intense fighting, a ceasefire came into effect on November 27th. Can you provide us with some context about the terms of this agreement?
**Dr. Cohen:** Certainly. The ceasefire agreement essentially calls for an end to hostilities on both sides. Hezbollah and other Lebanese armed groups have agreed to cease attacks on Israel, while Israel has pledged to halt its airstrikes and shelling of Lebanese territory. Both sides, however, retain the right to self-defense.
One crucial aspect is the role of Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces. [[1](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/26/ceasefire-between-lebanons-hezbollah-and-israel-what-to-know)] Under the agreement, they will be solely responsible for carrying weapons and deploying forces in southern Lebanon.
**Host:** This conflict flared up amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. How does this ceasefire specifically address the spillover effects of that larger regional conflict?
**Dr. Cohen:** That’s a key point. This recent fighting was largely a response to Hezbollah’s support for Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Since the start of the conflict in Gaza last year, Hezbollah has engaged in sporadic exchanges of fire with Israel, effectively backing Hamas.
**Host:** Looking ahead, what are the potential implications of this ceasefire?
**Dr. Cohen:** It’s important to recognize that this is a temporary calm. The underlying tensions and issues that fueled this conflict remain. Whether this ceasefire will hold long-term depends largely on the de-escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the commitment of all parties to upholding the agreement.
**Host:** Dr. Cohen, thank you for your insights.
**Dr. Cohen:** My pleasure.
