Lebanon ceasefire in danger after breaches of the agreement by both sides
Written by: Laura Lallana
Image credit: Getty Images. Israeli soldiers near to the border with Lebanon.
On November 26 US president, Joe Biden announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon after 13 months of war between Hezbollah and Israel.
Shortly after, both sides have accused the other of repeated violations of the truce. Hezbollah launched two mortar shells at an Israeli military outpost and Israel have been launching and Israel carried out its most extensive airstrike since the deal was established. This has created more concerns about the possible success of the agreement.
Since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah joined the Palestinian cause, tensions between Israel and the terrorist group have escalated significantly, leading to Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon on October 1st, 2024, with devastating consequences for both sides.
Image credit: Murat Sengül. Beirut, Lebanon. December 2024.
The agreement brokered by the United States and France went into effect on November 27th. It included 13 separate points of agreement where each part to follow specific deadlines for withdrawing into areas in Lebanon. The agreement’s main goal is to end hostilities permanently between the two countries.
The truce plan is divided into three stages. The first one includes a withdrawal of Hezbollah troops to the north of litany river, which would be considered the new border between Israel and Lebanon. This stage also includes the replacement of Hezbollah fighters with the Lebanese army in other to regain control of the area. The second stage of the agreement e establishes Israeli troops will gradually move to the south of the Blue Line -the unofficial border between the two countries- within a 60-days period. The last stage of the ceasefire plan is the beginning of conversations for establishing the new border between the countries.
Image credit: Al Jazeera. Border between Lebanon and Israel.
A joint statement from US and France, in charge of monitoring the truce, said: “This announcement will create the conditions to restore lasting calm and allow residents in both countries to return to their homes.” Many believe this could be a first step towards regional stability, but others have raised concerns about its long-term effectiveness.
If the ceasefire in Lebanon turns out to be successful, some experts believe it could pave the way for new conversations about the ceasefire in Gaza, the core of the problem. Dr Soliman, a Palestinian activist and academic from Coventry University states: “When we say ceasefire is a necessary pre-step for any settlement for a future solving of the middle east problem. You cannot solve the problem while there is fire and war. If we do not touch the core problem in the Middle east which is not Lebanon, not Syria, its Palestine, then we will not be able to rest in the region.”
Dr Sanchez, an International Relations professor from Francisco de Vitoria University also believed “This ceasefire is a necessary intervention to halt immediate suffering, but it is only the beginning. Sustainable peace requires addressing the systemic issues driving these hostilities, including external interventions and economic instability.”