Hamas says ‘ready’ for Gaza truce after Lebanon ceasefire
Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza, a senior official in the Palestinian group said, hailing the ceasefire that took hold in Lebanon.
“We have informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar and Turkey that Hamas is ready for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal to exchange prisoners,” the official told AFP, however accusing Israel of obstructing an agreement.
Displaced resident start to return to southern Lebanon
Long-displaced residents of south Lebanon started returning to their homes amid celebrations hours after a ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group took effect.
Hundreds of cars made their way into southern Lebanon, defying a warning from the Israeli military to stay away from previously evacuated areas.
At least 42 people were killed by Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Tuesday, according to local authorities. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens in the country’s north.
The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire marks the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, but it does not address the devastating war in Gaza.
World leaders react to Lebanon war ceasefire
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will protect Israel from the threat of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and create the conditions for a “lasting calm”, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron said ahead of the truce coming into force.
“The announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon,” they said in a joint statement, adding the United States and France will work “to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented” and lead international efforts for “capacity-building” of the Lebanese army, they added.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu thanked Biden for his “involvement in securing the ceasefire agreement” and told him in a call that he appreciated his “understanding that Israel will maintain its freedom of action in enforcing it”, according to Netanyahu’s office.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the ceasefire was a “fundamental step” towards restoring stability in the region, thanking France and the US for their involvement.
Iran welcomed the news of the end of Israel’s “aggression against Lebanon”, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement, stressing Iran’s “firm support for the Lebanese government, nation and resistance”.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the “very encouraging news” of the ceasefire, saying it would increase Lebanon’s “internal security and stability”.
Lebanon’s army prepares to deploy to south Lebanon
Lebanon’s army early on Wednesday said it is preparing to deploy troops to the southern part of the country, following a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah that went into effect at 4am Paris time.
The army added that is has asked residents of villages on the border to Israel to put off returning to their homes until Israeli forces have left the area.
Ceasefire begins in Israel-Hezbollah war
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon took effect on Wednesday after more than a year of fighting that has killed thousands of people.
The truce, which began at 4:00am (0200 GMT), should bring to a halt a war that has forced tens of thousands of people in Israel and hundreds of thousands more in Lebanon to flee their homes.
The Israeli army warned soon after the ceasefire began that residents of south Lebanon should not approach Israel Defense Forces positions and villages its forces had ordered to be evacuated.
“With the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement and based on its provisions, the IDF remains deployed in its positions inside southern Lebanon,” army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X.
Lebanon’s army prepares to deploy to south Lebanon
Lebanon’s army early on Wednesday said it is preparing to deploy troops to the southern part of the country, following a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah that went into effect at 4am Paris time.
The army added that is has asked residents of villages on the border to Israel to put off returning to their homes until Israeli forces have left the area.
Welcome to our live blog, where we post the latest developments on the Israel-Hamas war. To read all about yesterday’s key developments, click here.
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