Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Likely
Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut and its southern suburbs on Tuesday as Israeli leaders prepared to vote on a U.S.-brokered ceasefire to end over a year of fighting with Hezbollah.
Israel targeted 20 buildings in Beirut’s suburbs and advanced troops to the Litani River, aiming to weaken Hezbollah before a truce. Lebanese officials say Hezbollah supports the ceasefire, which Israel’s Cabinet is expected to approve.
#Beirut being bombed the same day Biden and Netanyahu claim they have a ceasefire agreement for Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/Z8V7KS8X4M
— tim anderson (@timand2037) November 26, 2024
Details
The agreement proposes:
- A two-month halt to fighting.
- Hezbollah withdrawing from southern Lebanon.
- Israeli troops returning to their side of the border.
- Deployment of Lebanese and U.N. forces to monitor compliance.
Israel demands the right to act if Hezbollah violates the deal, a condition Lebanon rejects. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of military action if U.N. forces fail to enforce the terms.
Either the ceasefire isn't happening, or Israel has decided to level all of Beirut before it kicks in.
— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) November 26, 2024
Holy shit. pic.twitter.com/RM09mPePiV
Ongoing Violence
Despite talks, Israeli strikes destroyed a residential building in Beirut, killing three and wounding 26. Strikes in Tyre killed a Hezbollah commander, while Israeli troops clashed with Hezbollah near the Litani River.
If implemented, the ceasefire could ease tensions with Iran, Hezbollah’s ally, though its effect on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is unclear. The 13-month conflict has displaced 1.2 million in Lebanon and killed 3,760, mostly civilians, while Hezbollah fire has killed 75 in Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet is likely to approve the deal, though some hardliners oppose it, calling it a missed opportunity to defeat Hezbollah.
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