Israel Approves US-Backed Cease-Fire With Hezbollah to End 14-Month War in Lebanon

Jerusalem — Israel’s security cabinet on Tuesday approved a US-backed cease-fire agreement with Hezbollah, potentially bringing an end to over 14 months of war in Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his support for the deal, which will be presented to the entire cabinet for final approval.

In September, an Israeli operation detonated Hezbollah pagers, killing numerous terrorists. ZUMAPRESS.com

The agreement proposes a 60-day pause in hostilities, requiring both the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah militants to withdraw from southern Lebanon. A five-nation monitoring committee led by the United States will oversee the cease-fire and facilitate the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Israel and Lebanon.

In a televised address, Netanyahu said the deal follows Israel’s extensive military campaign that he claimed significantly weakened Hezbollah. He stated that Israeli forces have “decimated Hezbollah’s leadership, ranks, infrastructure, and hidden bunkers along the border.”

The terms of the agreement also ensure Israel’s ability to maintain a military presence near the border and respond to any future Hezbollah attacks. The deal mandates the Lebanese army to clear the border area of Hezbollah operatives as the group relocates north of the Litani River, reducing its capacity to launch attacks against Israel.

Hezbollah has expressed preliminary support for the cease-fire. However, Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, stated that the group had not yet seen the final terms of the agreement. “We want an end to the aggression, of course,” Qamati said but warned, “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu @netanyahu/X

Despite the cease-fire discussions, violence continued along the Israel-Lebanon border on Tuesday. The IDF carried out airstrikes on over 180 targets in southern Lebanon, including command centres, weapons depots, and other Hezbollah facilities. Hezbollah retaliated with rocket attacks on Western Galilee and northern Israel, triggering drone alerts as far south as Haifa.

The conflict has caused significant casualties on both sides. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reports more than 3,500 deaths, though it does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. In Israel, over 72 people, including 30 IDF soldiers and reservists, have been killed in Hezbollah attacks.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the cease-fire as a critical step toward regional stability. Speaking at the G7 summit in Italy, Blinken said the resolution of the conflict in Lebanon could influence the ongoing war in Gaza. “If Hamas sees that the cavalry is not on the way, that may incentivize it to do what it needs to do to end this conflict,” he said.

The final terms of the cease-fire and its implementation timeline remain unclear. However, after months of intense fighting, the agreement is viewed as a significant move toward de-escalation.