The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon went into effect early on Wednesday at 4:00 a.m., following approval by Israel’s Cabinet late on Tuesday. The ceasefire proposal, mediated by the United States, passed with overwhelming support, receiving 10 votes in favor and 1 against.

The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying, “The Security Cabinet, this evening (Tuesday, 26 November 2024), in a 10-1 vote, approved the US proposal for a ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon. Israel appreciates the US contribution to the process, and maintains its right to act against any threat to its security.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden to express gratitude for the U.S.’s role in securing the ceasefire deal. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Tuesday, 26 November 2024), spoke to US President Joe Biden and thanked him for the US involvement in achieving the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and for the understanding that Israel maintains freedom of action in enforcing it,” the Prime Minister’s Office reported.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was the lone cabinet member to oppose the proposal. He criticized the decision, stating, “The Cabinet’s decision tonight is a serious mistake. A ceasefire at this stage will not return the residents of the north to their homes, will not deter Hezbollah, and will in fact miss a historic opportunity to deal them a hard blow and bring them to their knees.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the Security Cabinet, remarked on the gravity of the situation, saying, “Tomorrow at 4:00 a.m., the greatest test of the Israeli government begins, perhaps one of the greatest tests of Israeli governments in general. If we pass it, we will have secured Israel’s security forever. I voted in favor because I believe we will. My demands for the necessary conditions to be enshrined in the body of the decision were accepted and I pledge to continue to be there on guard, for you, until victory and the restoration of security.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the public, reaffirming his commitment to victory. “I promised victory and we will achieve victory. We will complete the elimination of Hamas, the return of all our hostages and the return of the residents of the north,” he declared. He further stated, “We have destroyed significant parts of Iran’s air defense and a significant component of its nuclear program.”

Netanyahu also clarified the terms of the ceasefire, explaining, “This evening, I will bring before the Cabinet a ceasefire plan. How long it will be depends on what will happen in Lebanon.” He added, “If Hezbollah doesn’t follow the agreement, we’ll attack. If it’s going to try to build up terrorist structures near [the border] or if it brings a truck with missiles, we’ll attack.”

Channel 13 News political correspondent Moriya Asraf reported on the terms of the ceasefire agreement, stating that Hezbollah, along with other armed groups in Lebanon, is prohibited from launching any offensive actions against Israel. In exchange, Israel has agreed not to carry out any military offensives against Lebanese targets by land, air, or sea.

The agreement further emphasizes that both Israel and Lebanon will adhere to the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, but underscores that “these obligations do not negate Israel’s or Lebanon’s inherent right to self-defense.” It specifies that Lebanon’s official military and security forces will be the only armed groups permitted to operate in southern Lebanon. “Any sale, supply and production of weapons or arms-related materials to Lebanon shall be under the full supervision and control of the Lebanese government,” the agreement states.

Additionally, the agreement stipulates that “All unauthorized facilities involved in the manufacture of weapons and arms-related materials will be dismantled, all military infrastructure and positions will be dismantled, and all unauthorized weapons that do not comply with these obligations will be confiscated.”

To ensure compliance, a committee composed of representatives from both Israel and Lebanon will be established to monitor the implementation of the agreement. Both nations will report any violations to the committee and to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Lebanon will also be required to deploy its official security and military forces along all borders, crossing points, and the designated southern area line, as outlined in the deployment plan. In the meantime, Israel will begin a gradual withdrawal of its forces from the region, ultimately returning to a position south of the Blue Line within 60 days. The United States will facilitate indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon with the goal of establishing a recognized land border between the two nations.

{Matzav.com}