BEIRUT, Lebanon — A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding, despite mutual accusations of violations just days after the agreement took effect.
The deal, which began early Wednesday, November 27, 2024, aims to end a 13-month border conflict that escalated into full-scale war in September, claiming thousands of lives and displacing tens of thousands on both sides of the border.
US President Joe Biden described the agreement as “a permanent cessation of hostilities,” though both sides have warned they will retaliate against breaches.
The truce stipulates a 60-day cessation of hostilities, during which Hezbollah is required to retreat 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Israel-Lebanon border, while Israeli forces withdraw from Lebanese territory.
A Return Amid Uncertainty
The agreement has offered temporary relief to displaced Lebanese civilians, thousands of whom have begun returning to their homes in the south.
Celebratory scenes emerged in villages like Qlayaa, where residents welcomed Lebanese army regiments tasked with maintaining peace under the deal.
However, both Israeli and Lebanese authorities have urged caution, warning civilians against returning too soon.
Despite the respite, tensions remain high.
On Thursday, the Israeli military claimed it thwarted “terrorist activity” at a Hezbollah rocket storage facility in southern Lebanon.
In response, Lebanon’s army accused Israel of multiple breaches of the ceasefire through “aerial infiltrations and targeting of Lebanese territory.”
Graphic: Henrik Pettersson, CNN
Historical Challenges to Compliance
The deal’s enforcement relies on a coalition of the Lebanese military, UN peacekeeping forces, and a multinational supervisory committee to monitor Hezbollah’s movements.
The agreement builds on the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war but was undermined by repeated violations from both sides.
While the truce held for nearly two decades, Hezbollah used the period to strengthen its forces, while Israeli intelligence gathered critical data on the group, which proved pivotal during the 2024 conflict.
| Understanding United Nations Resolution 1701 |
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United Nations Resolution 1701 is a pivotal Security Council directive that brought an end to the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. It established that only the Lebanese army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are permitted to operate as armed entities in the region south of Lebanon’s Litani River. This area is a critical buffer zone aimed at maintaining peace and security along the Lebanon-Israel border. The resolution also reinforced the significance of the “Blue Line,” a boundary demarcated by the UN in 2000 following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. While not an official border, the Blue Line serves as a practical dividing line between the two nations. Furthermore, Resolution 1701 prohibits any violations of Lebanese sovereignty by Israel, whether by land, sea, or air, aiming to foster stability and reduce tensions in the region. |
Escalation and Losses
The recent conflict erupted after Hezbollah joined the fallout from Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.
The escalation quickly engulfed Lebanon’s southern regions, with Israeli forces launching extensive strikes, killing over 3,700 Lebanese, mostly in Hezbollah-dominated areas.
Hezbollah’s daily rocket attacks on Israel displaced over 60,000 Israelis and caused dozens of casualties.
The turning point came in September when Israeli forces launched a series of devastating strikes, including the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a move that delayed ceasefire negotiations but eventually pushed the group toward the negotiating table.
Regional Implications
While the Lebanon deal raises hopes for stability along Israel’s northern border, analysts remain sceptical about its impact on the war in Gaza.
The United States has suggested that a successful truce with Hezbollah could pressure Hamas into negotiations, particularly over the release of hostages.
However, the ongoing devastation in Gaza, which has claimed over 44,000 Palestinian lives, complicates any parallel efforts for a ceasefire there.
For now, the truce offers a tentative pause in a region long defined by cycles of violence.
Whether it can pave the way for lasting peace remains uncertain, as both sides test the boundaries of the fragile agreement.
