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Home > Biden: Ceasefire Deal Between Israel And Hezbollah Can Be Blueprint To End Gaza War

Biden: Ceasefire Deal Between Israel And Hezbollah Can Be Blueprint To End Gaza War

Joe Biden has said the latest ceasefire deal between Hezbollah and Israel could be used as a blueprint to end the war in Gaza.

The new agreement, which came into effect at 4am local time (2am GMT) on Wednesday, will see Israel withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon over the next 60 days with Lebanese forces handed back control of their territory.

In a speech from the White House’s Rose Garden, Mr Biden said: “This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.

“What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.”

Addressing Hamas’s ongoing war with Israel in Gaza, he added: “Just as the Lebanese people deserve a future of security and prosperity, so do the people of Gaza. They too deserve an end of the fighting and displacement. The people of Gaza have been through hell.”

Hamas has refused to negotiate in good faith for months over a peace deal, the US president said. But that could change if the terror group agrees to free hostages it has held captive for over a year

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, launched Israel’s cross-border raid into southern Lebanon on October 1 in an escalation of the Jewish state’s conflict with Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terror group.

At the time he pledged to create a buffer zone for residents of northern Israel to return to their homes in the area due to rocket attacks by the terrorists.

On Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu declared: “Hezbollah is no longer the same. It has gone back decades.

“We have destroyed their infrastructure of terror which has been built near our border. Just three months ago all of this sounded like science fiction but it is not science fiction. We have done it.”

Both Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu said Israel would strike back if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the agreement, which was brokered by the US and French governments.

The Israeli leader said the main reasons for accepting the agreement was to focus its firepower on Iran, Hamas in Gaza and replenish its depleted arms supplies and allow the armed forces to rest.

A senior US administration official said: “This is a process that cannot happen overnight or in several days, and therefore there is this period to prevent any vacuums from being formed.”

During its cross-border raid, Israel destroyed rafts of terrorist infrastructure, including tunnels that could have been used to launch an October 7-style massacre, Mr Biden said.

This will not be allowed to be rebuilt in the buffer zone established under the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

Any breaches of the deal will be adjudicated by American and French officials, who will also work with Lebanon’s defence forces to bring them up to scratch.

However, no US combat forces will be dispatched to Lebanon or Israel to enforce the pact, Mr Biden said.

Mike Waltz, Donald Trump’s pick for national security adviser, welcomed the deal, in a hint it will survive the White House succession.

“I’m glad to see concrete steps towards de-escalation in the Middle East,” Mr Waltz wrote on X.

“But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos and terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.”

Sir Keir Starmer, Britain’s Prime Minister, said: “Today’s long overdue ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah will provide some measure of relief to the civilian populations of Lebanon and Northern Israel, who have suffered unimaginable consequences during the last few months of devastating conflict and bloodshed.”

He added: “The UK and its allies will continue to be at the forefront of efforts to break the ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of a long-term, sustainable peace in the Middle East. We must see immediate progress towards a ceasefire deal in Gaza, the release of all hostages and the removal of restrictions on desperately needed humanitarian aid.”

Latest updates 10:40PM

That’s all for today Thank you for tuning in to our live blog as Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hezbollah.

Key moments:Sir Keir Starmer has said the Lebanese ceasefire is ‘long overdue’ as he called for peace in Gaza.Republicans have credited Donald Trump for bringing about Israel’s ceasefire with Hezbollah.Joe Biden has said Gazans also deserve an end to hostilities, urging Hamas to return to the negotiating table.Joe Biden said the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will begin at 4am local time (2am GMT) in Lebanon on Wednesday.Joe Biden has announced that Israel and Lebanon have accepted the US proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.Benjamin Netanyahu has said the ceasefire in Lebanon presents the opportunity for Israel to “focus on the Iranian threat”.Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to “achieve” victory in Gaza.Israel mounted waves of airstrikes on Beirut as Israel’s security cabinet convened to discuss the proposed ceasefire which could take effect as soon as Wednesday. 10:00PM

Starmer: Lebanon ceasefire ‘long overdue’ Sir Keir Starmer has said the Lebanese ceasefire is ‘long overdue’ as he called for peace in Gaza.

“Today’s long overdue ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah will provide some measure of relief to the civilian populations of Lebanon and Northern Israel, who have suffered unimaginable consequences during the last few months of devastating conflict and bloodshed,” the prime minister said.

“The UK and its allies will continue to be at the forefront of efforts to break the ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of a long-term, sustainable peace in the Middle East. We must see immediate progress towards a ceasefire deal in Gaza, the release of all hostages and the removal of restrictions on desperately needed humanitarian aid.”

9:52PM

EU chief hails ‘very encouraging’ ceasefire news EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the “very encouraging news” that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire, saying the deal would increase Lebanon’s “internal security and stability”.

Ms Von der Leyen has repeatedly called for a cessation to hostilities between Israel and its neighbours in recent months, as well as the release of Israeli hostages.

The announced cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah is very encouraging news.

First and foremost for the Lebanese & Israeli people affected by the fighting.

Lebanon will have an opportunity to increase internal security and stability thanks to Hezbollah’s reduced influence.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 26, 2024 9:33PM

Republicans credit Trump for ceasefire deal Republicans have credited Donald Trump for bringing about Israel’s ceasefire with Hezbollah.

US Representative Mike Waltz, Mr Trump’s pick to be national security adviser, said: “everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump.”

During the presidential campaign, Mr Trump pledged to bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first world leaders to speak to him following his election win.

Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump.

His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East.

But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the…

— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) November 26, 2024 9:23PM

Who’s in charge of Hezbollah now? Hezbollah’s top leadership has been rapidly picked off by Israel since tensions escalated in September.

The militant group’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was killed shortly after Israel launched back-to-back strikes on Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies that left dozens dead and thousands wounded.

As a result of repeated targeted strikes, the group’s senior command was left in tatters ahead of peace talks.

9:12PM

Ceasefire can create ‘lasting calm’ A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will create the conditions for a “lasting calm”, Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron said in a joint statement.

“The announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations operating from Lebanon,” the two leaders said, adding that the deal “will create the conditions to restore lasting calm”.

The United States and France will work “to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented” and lead international efforts for “capacity-building” of the Lebanese army, they added.

9:01PM

‘Gazans have been through hell’, says Biden Joe Biden has said Gazans also deserve an end to hostilities, urging Hamas to return to the negotiating table.

“People of Gaza deserve an end to the fighting and displacement”, the US president said, adding: “The people of Gaza have been through hell, their worlds absolutely shattered.

“Far too many civilians in Gaza have suffered far too much and Hamas has refused for months and months to negotiate a good faith ceasefire and a hostage deal.

“So Hamas has a choice to make: their only way out is to release the hostages, including American citizens which they hold.”

Mr Biden said the US would push to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza in the coming days.

Joe Biden delivers remarks from the Rose Garden of the White House Credit: REUTERS/NATHAN HOWARD 8:51PM

Ceasefire will begin at 4am Joe Biden said the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will begin at 4am local time (2am GMT) in Lebanon on Wednesday.

Commenting on the US-led peace deal which brings to an end the war in southern Lebanon, the US president said it was designed to a “permanent cessation” in hostilities.

But Mr Biden warned: “If Hezbollah breaks the deal, Israel retains the right to self defence.”

He added that the deal “supports Lebanon’s sovereignty” and “heralds a new start for Lebanon”.

Mr Biden added that no US troops would be deployed in southern Lebanon.

8:47PM

Israel and Lebanon have accepted proposal, says Biden Joe Biden has announced that Israel and Lebanon have accepted the US proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

In a televised address, he said: “I am 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.”

Joe Biden speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House on Nov 26 Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP 8:43PM

Biden speaking now Joe Biden was expected to deliver remarks at 2.30pm (7.30pm GMT) in the White House’s Rose Garden following Benjamin Netanyahu’s backing of a US proposed ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

8:34PM

‘We will need to examine deal’, says Hezbollah official Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group that it had not yet seen the agreement in its final form.

“We must examine the points that Netanyahu agreed to before the [Lebanese] government signs tomorrow,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network.

The official said Hezbollah does not trust Netanyahu and wants to make sure it is not being tricked.

“We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said, adding: “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.”

7:48PM

Israel divided over deal Israel’s ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon is dividing the public. 37% of all Israelis support the deal while 32% oppose it, according to a new survey by Channel 12.

Residents and mayors in northern Israeli towns have also viciously attacked the government in recent days over the prospects of a ceasefire with Hezbollah, with many believing that Israel has a historic opportunity to destroy Hezbollah.

Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant summed up the mood in Israel following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech, saying that agreements in the Middle East “have no meaning,” and that only Israel’s ability to attack Hezbollah “immediately” if it violates the agreement will bring security to the north.

Few Israelis have faith in the Lebanese army or UNIFIL preventing Hezbollah from rearming, as the consistent violations of UN Security Council resolution 1701 from 2006 have proven the past 18 years.

There is therefore little belief that a yet another agreement with Hezbollah can prevent future attacks on Israel; only the IDF will be able to do that.

People in Beirut watch Netanyahu’s address Credit: ED RAM/GETTY IMAGES 7:42PM

Israeli politicians take aim at Netanyahu Avigdor Lieberman, leader of opposition party Yisrael Beitenu, has criticised Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech as “surrender to terror”.

Mr Lieberman wrote on X.“Netanyahu said until total victory, he just didn’t say the victory of which side.”

Yair Golan, who heads a union of left-wing parties called The Democrats, said the ceasefire has shown Israel is able to reach a hostage deal to end the war in Gaza.

“One-hundred-and-one hostages are waiting for us to save them, but this government is sending soldiers to war to save itself,” Golan said following the Israeli prime minister’s televised address.

He also called on Mr Netanyahu to remove the yellow ribbon pin from his lapel that signifies support for the hostages.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has dismissed the ceasefire deal as an “historic mistake” which would only pause the conflict.

“This is not a ceasefire. It’s a return to the concept of silence for silence,” he said adding: “This agreement does not meet the goal of the war – to return the residents of the north safely home.”

7:17PM

Biden set to deliver speech Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks in the White House’s Rose Garden at 2.30 pm (7.30pm GMT), the White House said.

The US played a pivotal role in the securing the ceasefire and will lead an oversight committee in charge of monitoring Hezbollah’s activities in Lebanon.

Mr. Biden is expected to mention France in his speech, according to CBS. The French did not help negotiate the deal, but will be part of its implementation.

The deal was negotiated by US mediator Amos Hochstein and is five pages long and includes 13 sections, according to a senior Lebanese political source with direct knowledge of the deal.

6:53PM

Lebanese PM calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’ Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has demanded that the international community “act swiftly” to halt Israeli aggression “and implement an immediate ceasefire”.

Mr Mikati said Israel’s airstrikes on Beirut today “reaffirms that the Israeli enemy has no regard for any law or consideration”.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw, and that the United States could play a role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the on southern Beirut Credit: WAEL HAMZEH/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK 6:42PM

‘Assad is playing with fire’, says Netanyahu The Israeli prime minister has warned the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad that he is “playing with fire”.

Benjamin Netanyahu said: “In Syria we are thwarting systematically Iran’s and Hezbollah’s attempts to give ammunition to Lebanon.

“Assad must understand that he is playing with fire.”

6:34PM

Truce will allow Israel to ‘focus on Iran’ Benjamin Netanyahu has said the ceasefire in Lebanon presents the opportunity for Israel to “focus on the Iranian threat”.

The Israeli prime minister said: “I am determined to do anything needed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“That threat has always been my top priority and is even more so today, when you hear Iran’s leaders state over and over again their intention to obtain nuclear weapons. For me, removing that threat is the most important mission to ensure the existence and future of the State of Israel.”

Mr Netanyahu said a ceasefire would also allow Israel’s forces to refresh and resources to be replenished, while Hamas would be isolated without Hezbollah’s support.

6:24PM

Netanyahu recommends ceasefire approval Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will recommend a proposal for a ceasefire with Hezbollah to his Cabinet for approval.

The deal must also be approved by Lebanon’s caretaker government, which is due to discuss it on Wednesday.

Mr Netanyahu insisted that Israel would have the right to act against any violations of the agreement.

He said: “The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon. If Hezbollah violates it, we will attack.

“I hear the claim that we cannot renew the war. I remind you – this is precisely what I was told during the ceasefire in Gaza, and we returned to fight, and in a big way.”

6:22PM

‘We will eliminate Hamas’ Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to “achieve” victory in Gaza.

“I promised victory and we will achieve victory”, he said, adding: “We will complete the elimination of Hamas, the return of all our abductees and the return of the residents of the north.”

The Israeli prime minister said he would make sure Gaza would no longer “pose a threat to Israel”.

He added: “With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas will be left alone on the battlefield”.

6:19PM

‘We set them back decades’, says Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel has set Hezbollah back decades.

In a television address, he said: “Hezbollah is no longer the same. We set them back decades.

“We have destroyed many missiles and rockets, we have killed many terrorists.”

The Israeli prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to return all the remaining hostages, dead or alive.

Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the nation on Tuesday evening 6:14PM

Netanyahu speaking now Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now giving a statement after his security cabinet agreed a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

6:01PM

Israeli politicians criticise ceasefire Moshe Saada, a politician from Netanyahu’s Likud party, told Army Radio: “I asked the ministers to vote against the agreement – we are buying imaginary peace.”

Several ministers in Israel have expressed opposition to a deal, including Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, who called an agreement “a big mistake.”

6:00PM

Trump team pleased with plan President-elect Donald Trump’s team has been briefed on the ceasefire deal and looks upon the plan favourably, a US official has told CBS.

5:55PM

Israeli ground forces reach Litani River Israeli ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River for the first time in the conflict – a focal point of the emerging deal.

In a statement on Tuesday, the army said it had reached clashed with Hezbollah forces on the banks of the Litani River in southern Lebanon.

Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which is around 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border in some places.

5:47PM

Biden expected to speak Joe Biden is expected to make a speech later this evening if the ceasefire deal remains on track, according to CBS.

Senior Lebanese sources previously said Israeli approval of the deal would pave the way for a ceasefire declaration by the US President and French President Emmanuel Macron.

5:43PM

‘No excuses’, EU chief tells Israel The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said there were “no excuses” for Israel to refuse the deal as all of the nation’s security concerns had been addressed.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Group of Seven meeting in Italy, Mr Borrell warned that if a ceasefire is not implemented, “Lebanon will fall apart.”

Israel has insisted that it has the right to act against any violations of the ceasefire, something the US has reportedly given its commitment to respect.

5:36PM

Israel steps up bombing of Beirut ahead of Netanyahu speech Israel mounted waves of airstrikes on Beirut as Israel’s security cabinet convened to discuss the proposed ceasefire which could take effect as soon as Wednesday.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said that “a belt of fire has encircled (the city’s) southern suburbs” as raids targeted Burj al-Barajneh, Haret Hreik and Hadath.

The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war such as the capital’s commercial Hamra district.

Strikes killed seven people and wounded 37 in the central Nweiri neighbourhood, the health ministry said.

A Hezbollah parliament member in Lebanon, Hassan Fadlallah, said the country faced “dangerous, sensitive hours” during the wait for a possible ceasefire announcement.

Smoke billows over Beirut’s southern suburbs on Nov 26 Credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR Rescuers search the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Nov 26 Credit: AP/HASSAN AMMAR 5:34PM

Netanyahu to address nation at 6pm GMT Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to make a television speech at 10pm local time (6pm GMT) amid expectations that Israel will agree to a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah.

The US ceasefire proposal would end 13 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, ending the terror group’s presence in southern Lebanon and instead deploying the Lebanese army along the border.

The Israeli security cabinet convened at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv to vote on the proposal, which is widely expected to be approved.

5:28PM

Blinken: Ceasefire deal in final stages Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, has said efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon were “in the final stages”, and added that a deal could help end the Gaza conflict.

“We’re not there yet, but I believe we are in the final stages,” Mr Blinken told reporters after a meeting near Rome with G7 counterparts on Tuesday, adding that “by de-escalating tensions in the region, it can also help us to end the conflict in Gaza”.

He added that the US would do everything to support Israel in its efforts to “make sure that 7 October never happens again”.

Antony Blinken attends a press conference in Fiuggi, Italy, on Nov 26 Credit: CLAUDIA GRECO/REUTERS 5:26PM

Hello and welcome to our live coverage We’re bringing you the latest updates ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech this evening.

The Israeli prime minister is expected to speak around 6pm UK time.