Tue Nov 26 20:54:18 UTC 2024: ## Biden Announces Ceasefire in Lebanon-Israel Conflict, Despite Ongoing Violence

**Beirut/Washington D.C.** – A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, brokered by the US, is set to begin at 4 am local time on Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday. However, the announcement was immediately overshadowed by continued Israeli airstrikes on Beirut and Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel.

Biden hailed the agreement as a “permanent cessation of hostilities,” stating it was designed to end nearly 14 months of devastating cross-border fighting that has claimed the lives of at least 3,768 Lebanese and wounded thousands more. The deal involves a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon over 60 days, with the Lebanese Army deploying to the area. Hezbollah’s infrastructure is not to be rebuilt, Biden stressed. The agreement does not address the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Both Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed their acceptance of the truce. Netanyahu, however, emphasized Israel’s right to maintain freedom of action in enforcing the agreement.

Despite Biden’s announcement, intense fighting continued throughout Tuesday. Al Jazeera reported ongoing Israeli strikes in Beirut, including one that killed seven and injured 37 in a building housing displaced people. Simultaneously, Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets into northern Israel, following through on a pledge to retaliate for attacks on Beirut. These events cast a shadow over Biden’s claim of a permanent cessation of hostilities.

The ceasefire comes as Biden nears the end of his term, and the agreement notably excludes the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Biden stated he intends to continue efforts to broker a Gaza ceasefire in his final days in office and to pursue normalization agreements between Israel and Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia. The US and France have pledged joint support for Lebanese armed forces and economic development to enhance regional stability. No US troops will be deployed to Lebanon as part of this agreement.

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