Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, ending over a year of deadly conflict and setting the stage for a fragile truce rooted in diplomacy, though challenges to lasting peace remain significant
The long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered with U.S. and French mediation, marks a critical juncture in the 13-month-long conflict that has devastated Lebanon and further strained Israel’s security apparatus. The ceasefire agreement, based on the framework of the 2006 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, is designed to prevent the resumption of hostilities while addressing deep-rooted issues in the region. However, the path to sustainable peace remains fraught with challenges, historical grievances, and geopolitical entanglements.
The Genesis of the Conflict
To understand the current ceasefire, it is crucial to examine the enduring injustices that led to this escalation. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 Israelis and taking over 200 hostages. This act was a direct response to Israel’s decades-long occupation, systematic oppression, and continuous genocide against the Palestinian people. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza—exacerbated by blockades, indiscriminate bombings, and a lack of basic human rights—fueled the desperation that culminated in this moment.
Hamas’s actions did not occur in isolation but reflected the collective anger of a people subjected to decades of displacement, systemic deprivation, and daily violations of their rights. In solidarity with Gaza, Hezbollah responded to Israel’s aggression by launching operations targeting the Shebaa Farms and other contested areas along the Blue Line. Israel’s reaction, characterized by relentless aerial assaults and ground invasions, turned into a campaign that left entire neighborhoods in rubble.
The magnitude of destruction in Gaza and Lebanon has been catastrophic. Over 44,200 Palestinians have been killed, including countless women and children, with 104,000 wounded since the onset of the war. In Lebanon, nearly 3,800 people have died, and more than 15,000 have been injured. These staggering figures reveal a chilling reality: civilians, particularly in Gaza, continue to pay the heaviest price for Israel’s disproportionate military response, which has often targeted homes, schools, and hospitals.
A fireball erupts from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the area of Tayouneh in Beirut’s southern suburbs, in Lebanon, on November 25, 2024 /AFP
What the Ceasefire Agreement between Israel and Lebanon Says?
The ceasefire agreement builds upon Resolution 1701 which was passed in 2006, aiming to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon free of armed groups other than the Lebanese military and UN peacekeepers. Key components of the agreement include:
- Cessation of Hostilities: Both parties have agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, effective from 4 a.m. local time on November 27, 2024. This period is intended to halt all military operations and provide a foundation for further negotiations.
- Withdrawal of Forces:
- Israeli Forces: Israel will gradually withdraw its military presence from southern Lebanon over the 60-day period. This phased withdrawal is designed to ensure a stable transition and prevent a security vacuum.
- Hezbollah Fighters: Hezbollah is required to remove its armed personnel and military infrastructure from areas south of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers north of the Israeli border. This move aims to reduce immediate threats to Israeli security.
People in Beirut, Lebanon, watch Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announce a ceasefire on television; the people had gathered for shelter near Martyrs Square as Israel battered central Beirut with multiple airstrikes, Nov. 26, 2024.
- Deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces: The Lebanese army will deploy approximately 5,000 troops to the southern region to assume control and maintain security. Their responsibilities include ensuring that no armed groups other than the Lebanese state forces operate in this area.
- International Monitoring: An international monitoring committee, comprising representatives from the United States, France, and other allied nations, will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire. This committee will work alongside the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to monitor compliance and address any violations.
- Prohibition of Re-armament: The agreement stipulates that Hezbollah is prohibited from rebuilding its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government, with international support, is tasked with ensuring that no unauthorized armed groups operate in this region.
- Right to Self-Defense: Israel retains the right to self-defense under international law. Should Hezbollah or any other group violate the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is authorized to take appropriate military action to neutralize threats.
The Challenges of Implementation
Despite the ambitious scope of the ceasefire, significant challenges remain. The Lebanese army, already stretched thin by economic crises and political instability, has expressed doubts about its capacity to enforce the agreement. As Elias Hanna, a retired Lebanese army general, noted, “The Lebanese army lacks the manpower and resources to take on Hezbollah or ensure the complete demilitarization of the south.”
Hezbollah, which has evolved into a formidable military and political force, is unlikely to fully relinquish its presence in southern Lebanon. With an arsenal of over 150,000 rockets and drones, the group remains a central actor in the regional power dynamics, backed by Iran and deeply entrenched in Lebanon’s socio-political fabric.
Israel, on the other hand, has expressed skepticism about Lebanon’s ability to prevent future attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that “Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon will not be allowed to be rebuilt,” signaling a readiness to act unilaterally if necessary.
A view of destruction resulting from an Israeli airstrike on Shia neighborhoods in Dahieh district, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Nov. 26, 2024.
False Policies and Promises of Israel?
While the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, it does not address the underlying grievances that have fueled decades of conflict. Critics argue that Israel’s policies in the occupied territories, including the blockade of Gaza and the expansion of settlements, have exacerbated tensions and hindered the prospects for peace. The disproportionate impact of Israeli military operations on civilian populations has drawn international condemnation. A recent UN report highlighted that over 75% of the casualties in Gaza and Lebanon were civilians, including women and children.
These actions have not only deepened the humanitarian crisis but also galvanized support for armed resistance groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. As Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri remarked, “True peace cannot be achieved through military might alone. It requires addressing the injustices that perpetuate the cycle of violence.”
A Fragile Hope for Peace?
The ceasefire represents a critical opportunity to stabilize the region, but its success hinges on sustained international support and genuine efforts by both sides to uphold the agreement. The U.S. and France have pledged financial aid to bolster the Lebanese army, while UN peacekeepers will play a crucial role in maintaining order along the Blue Line.
However, as history has shown, ceasefires in the region often serve as temporary pauses rather than lasting solutions. For meaningful change to occur, the international community must address the broader issues of occupation, displacement, and sovereignty that lie at the heart of the conflict.
As Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati aptly put it, “Peace cannot be imposed from the outside. It must be built from within, through dialogue, compromise, and a commitment to justice for all.”
Lastly, The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire reflects diplomatic progress but highlights the need to address root causes and humanitarian issues for lasting peace. The fragile truce offers hope, but global attention remains on its implementation and regional reconciliation.
