Israel – Hezbollah Ceasefire Takes Effect

Stand for Israel  |  November 27, 2024

Residents from the Northern Israeli town of Metula return home following the ceasefire with Lebanon. November 27, 2024.
Residents from the Northern Israeli town of Metula return home following the ceasefire with Lebanon. November 27, 2024. (Photo: David Cohen FLASH90)

After more than a year of war in northern Israel:

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon took effect at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, ending nearly 14 months of hostilities.

Israel’s Security Cabinet approved the U.S. proposal by a vote of 10-1, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir opposing the move, although saying that he would not quit the coalition over the decision.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with President Joe Biden on Tuesday evening and “thanked him for the U.S. involvement in achieving the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and for the understanding that Israel maintains freedom of action in enforcing it,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Israel Defense Forces will respond “forcefully” to all violations of the agreement by Hezbollah, Netanyahu said in televised remarks ahead of the Cabinet vote.

In Gaza, the Hezbollah ceasefire has Hamas talking about a ceasefire as well:

Hamas on Wednesday said it was ready for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect on Wednesday morning.

“We are committed to cooperating with any effort to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, and we are interested in ending the aggression against our people,” the terror group said in a statement.

“We have informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey that Hamas is ready for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal to exchange prisoners,” a Hamas official told AFP.

While it would be foolish to place full trust in Hezbollah or Hamas, we rejoice that residents of northern Israel may now have a chance to return to their homes and rebuild their lives, and will continue to pray for a peace that provides real and enduing security for Israel and her people.