At 3am Italian time today (4am local time), the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. THE'announcement it has been given simultaneously by Joe Biden and Benyamin Netanyahu, with the US president emphasizing Washington's crucial role in mediation. Netanyahu, for his part, thanked the United States for the agreement that guarantees Israel the “Freedom of Action” Against Hezbollah and explained: “We have three goals: focus on the Iranian threat, renew forces and isolate Hamas”. The truce, initially scheduled to last 60 days, could be extended or modified depending on developments on the ground.
A fragile and complex agreement
The agreement provides for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah militants' movement north of the Litani River, creating a buffer zone managed by the Lebanese regular army and UNIFIL.
The memory of previous similar agreements, often violated, raises doubts about its effectiveness. For many, the truce represents more of an opportunity to regroup than a real attempt at pacification. “If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to rearm, we will strike,” Netanyahu said at a news conference.
What does the truce agreement provide?
The agreement provides for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah militants' movement north of the Litani River, creating a buffer zone managed by the Lebanese regular army and UNIFIL.
The memory of previous similar agreements, often violated, raises doubts about its effectiveness. For many, the truce represents more of aopportunity to reorganize that a real attempt at pacification. “If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to rearm, we will strike,” Netanyahu said at a press conference.
The truce was also initiated to focus on the Iranian threat, renew forces and supplies, and isolate Hamas. The agreement, brokered by the United States with support from France, It should last 60 days, with the possibility of modifications based on developments in the field. Antony blinken he stated that This agreement could also help end the conflict in Gaza, while Biden announced a new international initiative involving Turkey, Egypt and Qatar.
Reactions: For Meloni “peace is good”
"L 'Italy welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, a goal to which the Government has long been committed. The ceasefire now offers theopportunities for stabilization of the border between Israel and Lebanon and the return of displaced persons to their homes. The full implementation of resolution 1701 is the main road to achieving this goal,” said the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “Together with our EU and G7 partners – the premer continued – Italy will continue to work in this direction, through the presence of our contingent within Unifil – which has never left its positions during these months of fighting – and by continuing to play a leading role in international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces”.
Antonio Tajani, Italian Deputy Prime Minister, celebrated the success of the agreement on X, calling it “a important result for peace in the Middle East". London, through the Foreign Secretary david lammy, called the agreement “a sign of hope,” but called for a ceasefire also in the Gaza Strip, where the conflict with Hamas continues unabated.
London, through the Foreign Secretary david lammy, called the agreement “a sign of hope”, but called for a ceasefire also in the Gaza Strip, where the conflict with Hamas continues unabated: “A Gaza: Immediate Ceasefire Needed, the release of the hostages and the end of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid; the intolerable suffering (of the population of the Strip) must end.”
In Lebanon, the Prime Minister Najib mikati described the truce as “a fundamental step towards regional stability.”
Celebration in Lebanon, Fears in Israel
The Lebanese streets have been animated by celebrations, with thousands of people waving Hezbollah flags and chanting for a truce. Houthi rebels Yemen's allies of Iran hail truce as "Hezbollah's victory" over Israel: "We salute the resistance of Hezbollah and the dear Lebanese people in the face of Israel's brutal aggression," the Houthi spokesman wrote on X, adding that "thanks to this resistance, Lebanon has been able to achieve another victory."
On the other side of the border, however, the celebrations clash with the Israeli concerns. The Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, has ordered “strong measures” against any violations by Hezbollah, while analysts fear the group may use the ceasefire to strengthen its military capabilities.
