Ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel issues warning to Iran

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on November 27, after more than a year of fighting that left thousands dead.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon began at 4 a.m. on November 27 (about 9 a.m. on November 27 Vietnam time), ending a conflict that lasted more than 13 months and forced tens of thousands of people in Israel and hundreds of thousands in Lebanon to flee their homes, according to AFP.

The goal of the ceasefire agreement

The ceasefire came into effect after US President Joe Biden announced that both Israel and Hezbollah had accepted a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US and France, according to Reuters. President Biden stressed that the agreement was "designed to permanently end hostilities" between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israeli PM ready for ceasefire in Lebanon, warns Hezbollah

The new deal calls for a 60-day ceasefire, described by negotiators as the foundation for a long-term ceasefire. During that time, Hezbollah members are expected to withdraw about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Lebanon-Israel border, while Israeli ground troops withdraw from Lebanese territory, according to CNN.

Also under the agreement, the Lebanese army will carry out closer monitoring of Hezbollah activities south of the Litani River, to prevent Hezbollah members from regrouping there. In addition, UN peacekeepers , the Lebanese army and a multinational commission will be tasked with monitoring Hezbollah activities.

A Lebanese girl celebrates on the street on November 27, after the ceasefire came into effect.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the army would deploy at least 5,000 troops in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces withdrew. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah a "fundamental step" towards restoring stability in the region.

"Isolate Hamas, focus on Iran"

On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was ready to implement the ceasefire but would respond strongly to any violations by Hezbollah, according to Reuters. Mr. Netanyahu said Hezbollah was significantly weaker than when the Hezbollah-Israel conflict broke out, shortly after Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to Israeli retaliation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Netanyahu affirmed that in more than 13 months of fighting, the Israeli army has set Hezbollah back decades, eliminated senior leaders, destroyed most of Hezbollah's missiles and rockets, and wiped out much of its infrastructure near the Lebanon-Israel border. As of yesterday afternoon, there was no information about Hezbollah's response to Mr. Netanyahu's statement or the ceasefire.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also stressed that the ceasefire with Hezbollah would give the Israeli army a chance to rest, while isolating Hamas in Gaza. "With Hezbollah gone, Hamas will be alone in the fight. Our pressure on them will increase," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu also said the ceasefire with Hezbollah would allow the Israeli military to "focus on the threat from Iran." Tehran is the main backer of both Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as other proxy forces that claim to be at war with Israel.

Hezbollah says it destroyed six Israeli Merkava tanks

After the ceasefire came into effect, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that Tehran "welcomed the news" of Israel ending its "aggression against Lebanon", and stressed "Iran's unwavering support for the Lebanese government and resistance".

In addition, a senior Hamas official said yesterday that Hamas welcomed the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire. The official stressed that Hamas was ready for a ceasefire with Israel and a serious prisoner exchange agreement, but still accused Israel of obstructing the agreement, according to AFP.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngung-ban-voi-hezbollah-israel-phat-canh-bao-toi-iran-185241127222848803.htm