Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire comes into effect with a warning from Netanyahu

Israel Hezbollah War: After approval by Israel's security cabinet, French President Emmanuel Macron and his US counterpart issued a joint statement, committing both nations to work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure that the ceasefire deal gets fully implemented.

In Short

• Ceasefire aims to end conflict in Lebanon where over 3,000 people have died
• US and French presidents issue joint statement announcing ceasefire
• Israel has continued its military campaign in Lebanon after October 7 attack

Israel's security cabinet on Tuesday approved a ceasefire deal with Iran-backed Hezbollah, paving the way to end the conflict in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced on Tuesday.

"The political-security cabinet approved this evening the United States’ proposal for a ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon, by a majority of 10 ministers against one opponent. Israel appreciates the contribution of the United States in the process, and maintains its right to act against any threat to its security," the statement read.

The ceasefire deal, which was brokered by the US and France, came into effect at 4 am (local time) on November 27 and is expected to halt the war that has killed almost 3,800 people in Lebanon over the last year and left about 16,000 others wounded.

After approval by Israel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his US President Joe Biden issued a joint statement, committing both nations to work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure the agreement is fully implemented and enforced.

"We remain determined to prevent this conflict from becoming another cycle of violence," the statement read, and added that they will also commit to supporting efforts to rebuild the Lebanese Armed Forces and support Lebanon's economic development.

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

"Fighting across the Israel-Lebanon border would end at 4 am (local time). This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities. What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again," the outgoing US President said.

The Lebanon ceasefire agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon and Lebanon's army to deploy in the region. Hezbollah would also end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River, as per the ceasefire agreement.

After the ceasefire deal, Biden also spoke to Netanyahu and Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Earlier, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw, and that the United States could play a role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.

However, despite the diplomatic breakthrough, hostilities continued on Tuesday as Israel ramped up its military campaign in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, resulting in the death of 18 people. The Iran-backed Hezbollah also kept up rocket fire into Israel.

The Middle East has been witnessing a tumultuous security situation for over one year after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking hostage over 200 others.

The attack triggered a war in several parts of the Middle East, which has killed over 43,000 people.

(With inputs from Reuters)