BEIRUT, Nov 27: A ceasefire between Israeli forces and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday morning local time, following an agreement between Israel and Lebanon mediated by the United States. US President Joe Biden, in a statement from the White House, confirmed that both nations had accepted a proposal to end the year-long conflict, which began after Hezbollah’s attack on Israel in solidarity with Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack.

Biden described the deal as “designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” marking a significant milestone in the efforts to end the ongoing cross-border skirmishes between the two sides. The ceasefire is expected to last for 60 days and is meant to implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was originally adopted in 2006 to end the 34-day war between Israel and Lebanon. The resolution called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and limited the armed groups present in the region to the Lebanese military and UN peacekeepers.

The deal was approved by Israel’s security cabinet with a majority vote of 10 to 1. However, the agreement does not require an immediate Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Israeli forces are expected to begin withdrawing within 60 days, while Hezbollah fighters are to retreat at least 40 kilometers from the border. In the meantime, Israeli airstrikes on Beirut escalated ahead of the vote, killing at least 10 people in the city’s central areas.

Despite the ceasefire’s potential to bring an end to hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the deal’s purpose was to allow Israel to focus on the “Iranian threat” and to allow for the replenishment of military resources. Netanyahu also emphasized that Israel would retaliate if Hezbollah violated the ceasefire, vowing to “attack” if Hezbollah attempted to rearm or rebuilt terrorist infrastructure near the border.

The deal has faced significant opposition from the far-right wing of Netanyahu’s coalition, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who condemned the ceasefire as a “historic mistake” and a “surrender agreement.” Mayors from northern Israeli communities, including Kiryat Shmona, which has been heavily impacted by Hezbollah fire, also voiced their discontent, calling the deal a “disgrace.”