The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which takes effect today, Thursday, is based on understandings reached as early as November 2024 through mediation by the Biden administration, as previously reported by Israel Hayom. According to those understandings, the arrangement is not limited to stopping the fighting, but also grants the IDF freedom of action against immediate threats.
During the previous ceasefire period, until the outbreak of the war with Iran, Israel operated extensively against the Hezbollah terrorist organization, killing hundreds of operatives and damaging military infrastructure, including launchers and other weapons.
According to Israeli and US officials, the principle of military freedom of action will also be preserved under the current agreement. Moreover, those officials said the Israel Defense Forces will not withdraw from the areas it entered in recent weeks and will be able to continue operating there against Hezbollah terrorists. In addition, Israel will not, at this stage, allow most residents of southern Lebanon to return to their villages.
At the same time, Israel intends to reduce the scope of its offensive activity, at least in the near term, during the negotiating period, in order to allow progress in the talks and give the Lebanese government political room to rally internal support ahead of direct negotiations.
A US official said a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Michel Aoun, which US President Donald Trump spoke about, is expected to take place within weeks. According to the official, the goal is to reach a signed agreement within a few months. Such an agreement, the official said, is ultimately expected to lead to an IDF withdrawal from Lebanese territory, but unlike in the past, only after the agreement's central clauses are implemented, including the removal of Hezbollah's military threat.
The official also said the Lebanese government had been promised significant economic aid, with the aim of stabilizing the local economy. Later on, investment from Gulf states and other countries is also expected to return. However, the official stressed that progress to that stage depends on Hezbollah ceasing to be a destabilizing and threatening force within the country.
