Tel Aviv [Israel], November 27 – After months of intense skirmishes and significant casualties, Israel and Hezbollah have reached a ceasefire agreement, effective Tuesday (local time). However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that the duration of the ceasefire depends on actions taken by Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“With the United States’ full understanding, we maintain full freedom of military action. If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to arm itself, we will attack. If it tries to rebuild terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If it launches a rocket, if it digs a tunnel, if it brings in a truck carrying rockets, we will attack,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu’s Reasons for Ceasefire
Netanyahu outlined three key reasons for initiating the ceasefire:
- Addressing the Iranian Threat: “The first reason is to focus on the Iranian threat, and I won’t expand on that,” he stated.
- Replenishing Military Resources: “The second reason is to give our forces a breather and replenish stocks. It is no secret that there have been big delays in weapons and munitions deliveries. These delays will be resolved soon. We will receive supplies of advanced weaponry that will keep our soldiers safe and give us more strike force to complete our mission.”
- Isolating Hamas: “The third reason for having a ceasefire is to separate the fronts and isolate Hamas. From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own. We will increase our pressure on Hamas and that will help us in our sacred mission of releasing our hostages.”
Conflict Overview
The prolonged conflict between Israel and Lebanon began on October 8 last year, when Hezbollah launched an attack on Israeli-controlled territory in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza, according to CNN.
A series of retaliatory border attacks escalated into a full-scale military offensive by Israel in mid-September. The conflict included ground invasions by Israel, leading to the deaths of several Hezbollah leaders, including one of its founders, Hassan Nasrallah, and thousands of injuries caused by innovative weaponry like exploding pagers.
Looking Ahead
While the ceasefire brings temporary relief, the situation remains volatile. Netanyahu’s warning and conditions for maintaining the ceasefire signal that any violations by Hezbollah could reignite hostilities.
