What's happened
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on December 4, 2024, following intense fighting that displaced over a million people. The agreement aims for a 60-day cessation of hostilities, with international monitoring. However, tensions remain high as both sides prepare for potential violations.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the ceasefire was approved by Israel's security cabinet and is monitored by a U.S.-led committee, which includes France and UNIFIL. The article highlights that Israel has warned against returning to southern Lebanon due to ongoing military operations. In contrast, the New York Times notes that the ceasefire aims to allow Israel to focus on Iran and Hamas, suggesting a strategic shift in Israeli military priorities. Both sources emphasize the precarious nature of the ceasefire, with The Independent quoting Netanyahu's warning of a strong response to any violations, while the New York Times discusses Hezbollah's likely desire to maintain a presence near the border without provoking further conflict.
How we got here
The ceasefire follows over a year of conflict, marked by daily rocket fire and airstrikes. U.S. President Biden announced the truce, which aims to stabilize the region and allow for humanitarian efforts in Lebanon, where significant destruction has occurred.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.