US President Joe Biden announced that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to Washington's proposal for a permanent ceasefire, effective at 4:00 a.m. local time on November 27, 2024 - RT reported.
Hostilities between Israel and Shia militias based in southern Lebanon escalated in September, when the Israel Defense Forces launched a series of airstrikes and then deployed ground troops.
"I just spoke with the prime ministers of Israel and Lebanon," President Joe Biden said from the White House Rose Garden on November 26. "I am pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States' proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah."
President Biden added that the ceasefire is designed “to be a permanent ceasefire.”
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Lebanese troops and police will deploy to the country’s border with Israel over the next 60 days, while the southern neighbor will “gradually withdraw its remaining troops and civilians,” Biden said. Hezbollah and “other terrorist organizations will not be allowed” into the area.
Hours before the announcement, Israeli aircraft struck Beirut and other Lebanese cities, while Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel's Galilee region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the Israeli government voted overwhelmingly in favor of the US proposal, with only one minister opposing it. However, Netanyahu said Israel "reserves the right to act against any threat to its security."
President Biden also used his Rose Garden speech to call for a ceasefire in Gaza from Hamas.
"Hamas must make a choice. The only way out of this situation is to release the hostages, including American citizens, that they are holding and in the process end the fighting, which will allow for a humanitarian relief," the US President said.
Israel declared war on Hamas in Gaza after a Hamas raid on October 7, 2023 left more than 1,100 Israelis dead and 250 taken prisoner.
