Relief and defiance in Lebanon as Israel, Hezbollah ceasefire starts
- A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has taken effect amid hopes of a permanent end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, as well as more than a year of cross-border fighting.
- US President Joe Biden says the deal involves Israeli forces withdrawing from Lebanon over 60 days, with the Lebanese army taking control of territory in the south of the country to ensure Hezbollah does not rebuild forces.
10,000 Lebanese armed forces to deploy to the south: Lebanon’s defence minister
Speaking to our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic, Lebanon’s Defence Minister Maurice Sleem said the government is committed to implementing international resolutions and sending Lebanese forces to the country’s southern border, a development he said is crucial for national sovereignty.
He said the government will send 10,000 armed forces to the south, where Hezbollah is to pull back under the terms of the ceasefire deal.
Lebanon humanitarian crisis continues despite ceasefire: NRC
“After a violent night in which Israel’s aerial bombardment of Beirut spread yet more chaos and destruction, we now have a long-overdue ceasefire,” says Jan Egeland, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)’s secretary-general.
“It will be a moment of relief for the families I met recently in Lebanon – and for millions around the country – but this relief must be lasting.”
Egeland urged that the ceasefire must ensure the end of displacement in the country, noting that many will have nowhere to return to.
“Many will have no homes to return to, no schools for their children, and livelihoods destroyed. The wellbeing of children and their families must be prioritised in what will be a long journey to recovery,” Egeland said.
He said the NRC will continue to work in the country as the humanitarian situation persists.
“It is now also far beyond time for the fighting in Gaza to cease too. The ceasefire in Lebanon must not lead to any further escalation there or elsewhere,” Egeland added.
Hamas hopes for Gaza ceasefire: Official
Reacting to the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the Palestinian group “appreciates” Hezbollah’s right to strike a deal protecting its people.
Abu Zuhri also said Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire with Israel to stop the fighting in Gaza.
Efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire to the 14-month war in Gaza have so far failed, with Israel rejecting multiple proposals. The only time fighting was paused during the war was during a weeklong truce in late November 2023.
Critical injuries at al-Ahli Hospital after al-Tabin School attack
Despite the announced ceasefire in Lebanon, the Israeli military has continued to scale up attacks across the Gaza Strip.
In overnight attacks, it continued to bomb schools, which are serving as evacuation centres housing hundreds of displaced families. That included a deadly attack on Gaza City’s al-Tabin School.
Many of those injured arrived at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in critical condition. As the hospital lacks adequate medical supplies, there is a high risk that many are going to lose their lives.
The Israeli military also carried out an operation early this morning at a school-turned-evacuation centre in Beit Lahiya. It detained every single man inside the school, blindfolding and handcuffing them. It took them to unknown areas to be interrogated. Meanwhile, Israeli forces pushed out all the women and children in the school, directing them to take Salah al-Din Street to the central area.
Turkey hopes Lebanon ceasefire will be permanent: Foreign Ministry
Turkey hopes that the ceasefire in Lebanon will be permanent, its Foreign Ministry has said in a statement.
“The international community must put pressure on Israel to strictly comply with the ceasefire and compensate for the damage it has caused in Lebanon,” the ministry said.
Turkey is ready to provide support to “establish internal peace in Lebanon”, it added.
It also said a ceasefire must additionally be declared in Gaza as soon as possible for lasting regional peace and stability.
