Peace hangs by a thread. If the ceasefire that came into force in the early hours of this Wednesday, November 27 in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah has been welcomed in the last few hours by Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden, the agreement reached between the two parties, which face For more than a year, it remains fragile.
Even before Israeli bombs stopped falling on Beirut’s southern suburbs, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned: “If Hezbollah rearms and breaks the agreement, we will attack it.” “The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon,” he insisted, saying that he was ready to react “firmly” to any violation of the agreement: “with the agreement of the Americans, we maintain total freedom to act in the Lebanon”. “
• A gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army
The agreement, carefully negotiated with the help of France and the United States, began to come into force this Wednesday, November 27. It provides for the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon over 60 days. At the same time, Hezbollah will have to withdraw from the southern border with Israel and move north of the Litani River, a US official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity.
Just a few minutes after the start of the truce, the Arabic-speaking IDF spokesman warned the Lebanese, prohibiting them from approaching the positions of Israeli soldiers still present in the south of the country. Remember that the Israeli army “remains deployed.”
Since the start of the Israeli operation in Lebanon at the end of September, hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, especially in the region bordering the Jewish state.
• France and the United States “will strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces”
Pending the withdrawal of Israeli troops, France and the United States “commit to playing a leading role in supporting international efforts to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces,” said Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron in a joint press release.
It is precisely the Lebanese army and security forces that will recover the positions of the Israeli army and Hezbollah, according to the details of the ceasefire agreement obtained by Agence France Presse.
The United States and France will join the tripartite mechanism created after the 2006 war that brings together the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Israel and Lebanon, indicates this source, which specifies that the two countries “retain the right of self-defense in accordance with international law.
• Emmanuel Macron calls for a “sustainable recovery” of Lebanon
“It is important that this ceasefire be respected,” said Emmanuel Macron late Tuesday from Paris, hoping that this agreement “opens a new page” in Lebanon.
The President of the Republic hopes that it will be possible to “restore the security of the Lebanese, the security of the Israelis (…) allow the reestablishment of the sovereignty of Lebanon” and that this cessation of hostilities “offers the opportunity to the Lebanese people to commit to the support of its partners in a lasting recovery of the country.
In a speech broadcast on social media, Emmanuel Macron urged Lebanese political leaders to achieve the election of a new president “without delay.” An essential step, according to him, for “the reestablishment of sovereignty” in Lebanon.
According to our information, the President of the Republic asked Jean-Yves Le Drian, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and now personal representative of Emmanuel Macron in Lebanon, to go there this Wednesday.
• Netanyahu vows to “intensify” pressure on Hamas in Gaza
The fighting on Israel’s “northern” front is on pause, eyes are now turning to Gaza, bombed relentlessly since October 8, 2023. The agreement in Lebanon must “open the way to a long-awaited ceasefire ” in the Palestinian enclave, assured Emmanuel Macron. Joe Biden promised that the United States will lead a new “effort” to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
However, in mid-November, Washington vetoed a draft resolution in the UN Security Council regarding a truce and the immediate release of Hamas hostages. Additionally, the United States continues to support Israel militarily and financially.
This Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu promised to “intensify” pressure on Palestinian Hamas. A statement that frustrates hopes of a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave in the coming days.
The Israeli Prime Minister continues to insist on a “sacred mission” and refuses to listen to his own allies, who have been asking him for several months not to bomb civilians in the Palestinian enclave.
Since October 8, 2023, the Israeli army has killed tens of thousands of people, including many women and children. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu for “crimes against humanity and war crimes.” An arrest warrant was also issued for the head of the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement.
Source: BFM TV
