Washington D.C., November 27, 2024 – The Europe Today: U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah along the Israeli-Lebanon border is set to begin at 4 a.m. Wednesday local time, marking an end to nearly two months of hostilities. Speaking from the White House, Biden emphasized the importance of this truce as a step toward broader peace in the region and revealed U.S. efforts to achieve a similar ceasefire in Gaza.
“The United States will make another push with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and others to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza,” Biden stated. He outlined the aim of securing the release of hostages and creating conditions for peace without Hamas in power.
The ceasefire terms between Israel and Hezbollah include a 60-day truce during which Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon. Concurrently, Hezbollah will move its forces north of Lebanon’s Litani River. The Lebanese army and state security forces will assume control of border areas, supported by an international enforcement mechanism overseen by the United States, France, and other nations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the agreement, asserting that Israel’s operations had significantly weakened Hezbollah’s capabilities. “We’ve pushed Hezbollah back decades,” he said, highlighting the importance of calm on the northern border to refocus efforts on Iran and replenish military resources while isolating Hamas in Gaza.
President Biden expressed hope that this ceasefire could serve as a foundation for broader peace initiatives. “Just as the Lebanese people deserve a future of security and prosperity, so do the people of Gaza,” he said. He reiterated the United States’ commitment to advocating for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, describing the dire conditions in Gaza and the need to end the suffering of civilians.
This announcement comes as Biden enters the final weeks of his presidency, with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in January. Biden’s administration has faced mounting international pressure to mediate peace in the Middle East, with the truce between Israel and Hezbollah marking a significant diplomatic achievement amid ongoing regional tensions.
