A view of Beirut's southern suburbs and its surroundings, with smoke rising from Israeli strikes that occurred before the ceasefire, as seen from Deir Qoubel, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect at 0200 GMT on Wednesday. - Photo: Reuters
JERUSALEM: A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah has taken effect on Wednesday (Nov 27) at 4am local time, thanks to diplomatic efforts from the US and France.
Under the agreement, the Lebanese Armed Forces are required to deploy to southern Lebanon within 60 days. During this time, Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces.
The deal also necessitates Hezbollah to move its forces north of the Litani River, according to Anadolu Agency.
US President Joe Biden confirmed that although there will be no American troops on the ground in southern Lebanon, the necessary assistance will be provided by the US, France, and other nations to ensure the full and effective implementation of the deal.
"Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities and begin to rebuild their homes, schools, farms, businesses and their very lives," Biden said.
Reports suggest that between 5,000 to 10,000 Lebanese soldiers will be deployed to the area between the Israel-Lebanon border and the Litani River.
This deployment aims to prevent rearmament by armed groups, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
On Monday (Nov 25), at least 55 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, bringing the death toll since October 2023 to 3,823, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Furthermore, over the past 24 hours, 160 others have been wounded, raising the number of injuries to 15,859.
Recent hours have seen an intensification of Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut and its southern suburbs, as well as the southern and eastern provinces of the country, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries.
Since the start of the Gaza war last year, Israel has escalated airstrikes in Lebanon against what it claims are Hezbollah targets, as part of their year-long warfare against the Lebanese group.
Lebanese health authorities reported more than 3,760 deaths in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, nearly 15,700 injuries, and over 1 million displacements since last October.
On Oct 1 this year, Israel expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon. – Bernama-AA
