President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Rose Garden on Tuesday to announce a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, crediting the United States for helping to facilitate the resolution after several months of conflict.

“I just spoke with the prime ministers of Israel and Lebanon. I’m pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah,” Biden, 82, declared.

Biden emphasized that the deal is meant to bring about a lasting halt to the hostilities. “This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” he said. He also stated that the remaining elements of Hezbollah and other terrorist groups will no longer be allowed to operate. “What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed,” Biden stated, referring to the Iran-supported militant group based in Lebanon.

He further explained the terms of the agreement, which will see the Lebanese military and security forces step in to restore order. “Over the next 60 days, the Lebanese army and state security forces will deploy and take control of their own territory,” Biden continued. “Once again, Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure and southern Lebanon will not be allowed to be rebuilt and over the next 60 days, Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces and civilians.”

Biden concluded by expressing hope for civilians on both sides of the conflict. “Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities and begin to rebuild their homes, their schools, their farms, their businesses and their very lives,” he said.

This agreement follows considerable diplomatic efforts, including significant input from France, and comes as Biden has struggled to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “Just as the Lebanese people deserve a future of security and prosperity, so do the people of Gaza,” Biden remarked in his address. “Now Hamas has a choice to make. Their only way out is to release hostages, including American citizens, which they hold and in the process bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief.”

{Matzav.com}