After over a year of hostilities, a notable peace agreement has been reached.
According to Fox News, a cease-fire commenced on Wednesday, marking the end of 14 months of conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah movement.
The agreement stipulates that Hezbollah must move its forces north of the Litani River, a key war goal achieved by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who had advanced to the river by Tuesday. These developments come after a heated campaign that saw Hezbollah initiate rocket attacks on Israel in October 2023, a day following a devastating Hamas attack.
Senior Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, have voiced their concerns, alleging that the Biden administration pressured Israel into the agreement by threatening a weapons embargo and the potential use of U.S. influence at the United Nations to pass resolutions against Israel. These claims have been firmly denied by Biden's team, asserting no such threats were made.
Under President Joe Biden’s directive, the ceasefire was brokered after Israel achieved significant military objectives, including dismantling Hezbollah’s border infrastructure and inflicting heavy casualties. Biden’s administration has described these military successes as the groundwork that made the ceasefire possible.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan highlighted that "This peace deal was reached because Israel achieved its military objectives... and because of relentless American diplomacy led by President Biden".
Despite such affirmations, critics like Tony Badran from the Levant argue differently. He expressed concerns over the geopolitical implications, stating, "The cease-fire agreement does not diminish what Israel managed to achieve in short order against Hezbollah... This pertains to U.S. policy and how the Obama-Biden team used Israel to lock in their regional preferences."
On the other side, proponents of former President Donald Trump claim that the cease-fire is a result of what they term the "Trump effect," praising his administration's Middle East policies for setting a stage conducive to peace. Waltz, a supporter of Trump, noted on social media platform X, "Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump. His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated."
Furthermore, the deal involves economic aid and support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, alongside obligations on Lebanon to control arms smuggling to Hezbollah. Although the United Nations acknowledges the challenge of disarming Hezbollah, they've indicated that their mandate through UNIFIL does not include enforcing disarmament.
Lt. Col. (Res.) Sarit Zehavi posed a vital question regarding the agreement's effectiveness: "The big question at stake remains, will Hezbollah recover and smuggle rockets and store them in Lebanon and south Lebanon again?"
In preparation for the incoming Trump administration, U.S. presidential envoy Amos Hochstein has communicated the details of the deal to President-elect Trump’s team, emphasizing the importance of their understanding and support.
Amos Hochstein expressed in an interview with Israel’s Ch. 12, "There was no such discussion at any point; it never came up." This statement was made to clarify earlier controversies regarding the alleged threats of sanctions or U.N. vetoes.
As the region looks forward to a tense peace, the measures implemented by both the outgoing and incoming administrations will be scrutinized for their long-term impact on greater Middle Eastern stability. The cease-fire, while a significant step towards peace, involves complex geopolitical dynamics that will require continuous international collaboration and oversight.
In conclusion, the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah marks a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern politics. Achieved amidst allegations of undue pressure from the U.S., the agreement's sustainability and effectiveness in preventing further conflicts will continue to be a subject of global attention and debate.