What's happened
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah aims to halt over a year of conflict, with both sides tentatively supporting the agreement. The deal, effective early Wednesday, includes troop withdrawals and a monitoring mechanism, but challenges remain regarding enforcement and regional stability.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, the ceasefire deal is seen as a renewed commitment to Resolution 1701, which has been largely ineffective since its inception. The Independent highlights the historical context of the resolution, noting that it was designed to ensure Hezbollah's disarmament and maintain peace along the border. AP News reports on the immediate humanitarian impact, with over 1.2 million Lebanese and 50,000 Israelis displaced due to the conflict. The complexity of the situation is underscored by differing perspectives on enforcement and the potential for renewed hostilities, as noted by Joseph Bahout from the American University of Beirut, who stated that UNIFIL's role has eroded over time.
How we got here
The conflict escalated in late September 2024 after nearly a year of low-level clashes, leading to an Israeli ground invasion and extensive airstrikes in Lebanon. Resolution 1701, established in 2006, has not been fully enforced, complicating efforts for lasting peace.
More on these topics
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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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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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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.
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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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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Bashar Hafez al-Assad is a Syrian politician who has been the President of Syria since 17 July 2000. In addition, he is commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and Regional Secretary of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party's branch in Syria.
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The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, is a UN-NATO peacekeeping mission established on 19 March 1978 by United Nations Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon which Israel had invaded five day
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The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and approving any changes to the UN