India Welcomes Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Deal, Hopes For 'Stability In Wider Region'

India welcomed the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah and hoped for stability in the wider region.

India welcomed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah.

Source : PTI

India on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah saying New Delhi has always called for de-escalation restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.

The ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah came into effect on Wednesday ending a conflict that has killed more than 3,000 people since it was triggered by the Gaza war last year. 

"We welcome the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that has been announced," said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement. 

"We have always called for de-escalation, restraint and a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. We hope these developments will lead to peace and stability in the wider region," it added. 

The peace deal was brokered by the US and France in a rare victory for diplomacy in a region ravaged by two devastating wars for over a year.

The Lebanese army which has the task to ensure that the ceasefire holds said in a statement on Wednesday that it was preparing to deploy to the south of the country. 

It has also asked residents of the border village not to return to their homes until the Israeli military withdraws, which has waged war against Hezbollah on several occasions and pushed around six km (4 miles) into Lebanese territory.

Speaking at the White House after  Israel's security cabinet approved the agreement in a 10-1 vote, President Joe Biden said the ceasefire is "designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities." 

"What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again," he added. 

Israel will withdraw its forces gradually over 60 days as Lebanon's army takes control of territory near its border with Israel to ensure Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure there, Biden said.