The Israeli government approved a truce with Hezbollah in Lebanon on Tuesday and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Joe Biden for his “involvement in securing the ceasefire agreement”.
Netanyahu’s office said 10 ministers voted in favour and one opposed the agreement. In the call, Netanyahu told Biden that he appreciated his “understanding that Israel will maintain its freedom of action in enforcing it”, his office said.
Biden said the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will take effect at 4am local time (0200 GMT) on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France.
The accord, clearing the way for an end to a conflict that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year, was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities, Biden said in remarks at the White House.
Biden said the United States would lead a fresh effort to secure a truce in Gaza. Now Hamas has a choice to make. Their only way out is to release the prisoners, including American citizens, and, in the process, bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief, he added.
“Over the coming days, the United States will make another push with Turkiye, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and others to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.”
The Lebanon ceasefire agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon and Lebanon’s army to deploy in the region, officials say. Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River.
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.