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Israel Approves Lebanon Ceasefire Agreement.. Including De-escalation Rules
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The detailed terms for disarmament and dismantling military infrastructure in southern Lebanon indicate an Israeli goal to change engagement rules
The Israeli Mini-Ministerial Council approved a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, scheduled for implementation tomorrow Wednesday, amid ongoing military escalation.
The thirteen-point agreement includes mutual commitments to stop offensive operations, while acknowledging both parties' right to self-defense and recognizing UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
The agreement stipulates restricting weapons to official Lebanese forces in the south, with government oversight on weapons import and production, and dismantling unauthorized facilities.
A joint committee will be formed to supervise the implementation of commitments, with reports on potential violations to UNIFIL forces.
The agreement includes gradual Israeli withdrawal from south of the Blue Line within sixty days, in exchange for official Lebanese forces deployment along the border.
Washington pledged to enhance indirect negotiations between parties to reach recognized border demarcation.
The agreement's approval was preceded by intense Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburb and city center, resulting in at least three deaths.
Israeli shelling extended to southern towns, in an escalation coming nearly a year after confrontations erupted following Hezbollah's opening of a "support" front for Gaza in October 2023.
Since September 2024, the region has witnessed Israeli escalation including intensive strikes on Hezbollah positions in the suburb, south, and Bekaa, with ground incursions into border towns.
U.S. mediation through envoy Amos Hochstein culminated in this agreement after months of efforts to establish calm between the parties.
Levant-Agencies
