Israel has called a ceasefire with Lebanon’s militant group, Hezbollah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he and his cabinet had agreed to the deal, but said “we will strike” if the group attempts to rearm itself.
The ceasefire agreement will take effect at 4 am local time, (1pm AEDT) today.
However, Israeli forces have carried out more air attacks on Lebanon’s capital, before the ceasefire is set to kick in. Hezbollah also resumed rocket fire on Israel.
As of this morning, Israel’s military had issued new evacuation warnings for Beirut’s southern suburbs, with these warnings often followed by air strikes a short time later.
U.S. President Joe Biden and the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell both welcomed the ceasefire deal, with Biden calling the agreement “good news”.
“Let’s be clear: Israel did not launch this war. The Lebanese people did not seek this war either, nor did the United States,” Mr Biden said, “All told, this has been the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in decades.”
He also confirmed his administration would make now be making a push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“The people of Gaza have been through hell. Their world’s absolutely shattered. Far too many civilians in Gaza have suffered far too much,” he said.
Borrell said it was a “relief for the devastating situation in the Middle East” and called on Lebanese leaders to “take up their political responsibility by electing a president”.