Israel, Hezbollah Truce Deal Comes Into Effect From Today. Netanyahu Gives This Warning

Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire agreement, effective Wednesday, with the help of the US and France.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a warning for Hezbollah as truce between the two sides came into effect on Wednesday.

Source : X/@IsraeliPM

Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah reached a truce deal, which will take effect on Wednesday, brokered by the US and France, said US President Joe Biden on Tuesday. 

The agreement was approved by Israel's security cabinet in a 10-1 vote clearing the way for an end to a conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that has killed more than 3,000 people since it was triggered by the Gaza war last year. 

The fighting ended at 4 am local time, Biden said, adding he talked to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, reported Reuters. 

"This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities," Biden said. "What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.”

Under the truce deal, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over 60 days with the Lebanese army taking control of territory near its border with Israel to ensure that Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure there, Biden said. 

"Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities," he said.

The Lebanese PM welcomed the deal while Netanyahu said he was ready to implement a ceasefire but would respond forcefully to any violation by the Iran-backed group. 

Facing some opposition to the deal from within his coalition government, Netanyahu said the ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on threat from Iran, give the army a rest and replenish depleted arms supplies. "We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory," Netanyahu said.

He also said Hezbollah was considerably weaker than it had been at the start of the conflict. 

French President Emmanuel Macron lauded the signing of the deal saying it was "the culmination of efforts  undertaken for many months with the Israeli and Lebanese authorities, in close collaboration with the United States.”