Iran (IMNA) - The ceasefire, which aims to halt nearly 14 months of fighting, commenced at 4 a.m. local time in Lebanon on Wednesday.
President Biden confirmed the deal during a broadcast from Washington, stating, "Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities and begin to rebuild their homes, their schools, their farms, their businesses and their very lives".
The U.S. has played a pivotal role in brokering this agreement, which seeks a lasting cessation of hostilities along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his support for the ceasefire during his conversation with Biden. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed that his cabinet had approved the truce, emphasizing the need for Israel to focus on security threats posed by Iran and to isolate Hamas.
As part of the ceasefire terms, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon over the next 60 days, allowing the Lebanese Army and state security forces to take control of the territory. Biden assured that Hezbollah would not be permitted to rebuild its military infrastructure or threaten Israeli security during this period.
Hezbollah has yet to provide an official response to the ceasefire announcement.
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