President Biden announced Tuesday that the U.S. helped secure a ceasefire deal in Lebanon, which would end fighting between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
His announcement came as Israel's Cabinet approved the ceasefire after urging from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The war between Israel and the Iran-backed group has killed almost 3,800 people in Lebanon over the last year and left about 16,000 others wounded.
"Today, I have some good news to report from the Middle East," Mr. Biden said on the White House South Lawn. "I just spoke with the prime minister of Israel and Lebanon. I'm pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States' proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. I want to thank President Macron of France for his partnership in reaching this moment."
Under the deal reached, the ceasefire took effect at 4 a.m. Wednesday local time (9 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday) across the Lebanese-Israeli border.
But as Mr. Biden noted, the ceasefire does not apply to the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas.
"This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities," he added. "What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed, I emphasize, will not be allowed, to threaten the security of Israel ever again."
Over the next 60 days, the Lebanese Army and state security forces will take control once again, he said, and Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces. Since the war with Hezbollah began, over 70,000 Israelis have been "forced to live as refugees in their own country," Mr. Biden said, and over 300,000 Lebanese people have also been forced from their homes.
"Let's be clear," Mr. Biden said. "Israel did not launch this war. The Lebanese people did not seek that war either, nor did the United States."
Echoing remarks from earlier from Netanyahu, Mr. Biden said if Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal and poses a direct threat to Israel, then Israel retains the right to self-defense.
And in a joint statement later released by Mr. Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, the two leaders said that "the announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon," adding that it "will create the conditions to restore lasting calm and allow residents in both countries to return safely to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line."
Netanyahu said earlier Tuesday that the war Cabinet had approved the ceasefire, and he urged ministers in the full Cabinet to approve the deal on Tuesday night. He did not give specifics, but he said if Hezbollah breaks the terms, Israel will "respond severely."
Netanyahu said the war Cabinet had approved the ceasefire, and he urged ministers in the full Cabinet to approve the deal on Tuesday night. He did not give specifics, but he said if Hezbollah breaks the terms, Israel will "respond severely."
Netanyahu also held meetings Tuesday in Tel Aviv with various government ministers, lawmakers and mayors from some of the northern towns that have been evacuated for months.
Lebanon's government also had to unilaterally approve the deal on Tuesday, but the U.S. official said that was expected. The ceasefire would end the deadliest war in Lebanon since its civil war, which ended in 1990.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati posted on social media calling for the international community to "implement an immediate ceasefire."
U.S. Defense Department spokesperson Patrick Ryder said Tuesday that "we are certainly very supportive of the ceasefire."
Under the deal, a full and permanent ceasefire would be implemented immediately. There will be 60 days permitted for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces — a gradual withdrawal to allow the Lebanese forces to mobilize and move in to secure the area, but the trigger time is immediate, set to take effect later Tuesday.