US President Joe Biden announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will begin at 4am GMT on Wednesday. The Israeli cabinet formally approved the US-brokered ceasefire agreement on Tuesday evening, following a recommendation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made public earlier that day.
The ceasefire is set to last 60 days, though Netanyahu emphasized its conditional nature. He warned that the duration would depend on developments in Lebanon. In coordination with the US, Israel maintains full military freedom of action. Netanyahu stated that any violations by Hezbollah, such as attempts to rearm or renew terrorist infrastructure near the border, would lead to Israeli attacks.
Biden, speaking in the Rose Garden, described the ceasefire as a pivotal moment for Lebanon, marking the end of what he called “the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in decades.” The deal is seen as a key achievement in Biden’s foreign policy.
Leading up to the ceasefire, the Israeli military issued multiple evacuation warnings across several areas, including parts of Beirut, signaling increased military pressure on Hezbollah. Israeli ground troops reached Lebanon’s Litani River for the first time, a significant point in the deal.
The ceasefire does not impact Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of abating.
Amid the intense fighting, the evacuation warnings sent many residents fleeing, causing traffic gridlock and widespread panic. Some people, including those in their pajamas, gathered in central squares, sheltering under blankets or around fires as Israeli drones flew overhead. Despite these tensions, Hezbollah continued firing rockets, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. However, Lebanese officials confirmed that Hezbollah supports the ceasefire agreement.