The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, brokered by the US and France, has brought relief to many in the Middle East after more than a year of intense fighting resulting in thousands of deaths. The agreement calls for a two-month halt to hostilities and requires Hezbollah to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops are to return to their side of the border. This has allowed long-displaced residents of southern Lebanon to begin returning home.
The ceasefire has been welcomed by international leaders, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling it “long overdue” and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urging further efforts to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. US President Joe Biden has also expressed his support for the agreement, pledging to make another push for a ceasefire in Gaza without Hamas in power.
While the ceasefire has brought temporary calm to southern Lebanon, there are concerns about its ability to resolve the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Hamas has been fighting alone following Hezbollah’s decision to back away from their support. Israel has warned that they will respond forcefully to any violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Overall, the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire is seen as a positive step towards peace in the region, but the long-term stability of the situation remains uncertain. Many in the Middle East hope that this agreement will pave the way for further diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and bring lasting peace to the region.
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