Countries in the Middle East on Wednesday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, hoping that the deal would facilitate broader de-escalation in the region.
Israel’s security cabinet on Tuesday night approved a ceasefire deal with Lebanon, paving the way for an end to a nearly 14-month conflict tied in great part to the ongoing one in the Gaza Strip that has killed 44,282 Palestinians as of Wednesday.
According to Lebanese health authorities, the conflict in Lebanon has killed 3,823 people and wounded 15,859 others as of Tuesday. Israeli authorities say Hezbollah’s rocket strikes have killed 45 civilians over the past year, and at least 73 Israeli soldiers have been killed amid the operations in southern Lebanon.
In a televised speech following a cabinet meeting on the first day of the ceasefire, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Israel to “fully commit to the ceasefire resolution, withdraw from all areas and sites it has occupied, and implement resolution 1701 in total.”
Under the ceasefire, which took effect on Wednesday at 4:00 a.m. local time (0200 GMT), the Lebanese army will take control of the territory near its border with Israel over the next 60 days. Meanwhile, Israel will gradually withdraw its troops from the region, and civilians will be allowed to return to their homes.
In response to the ceasefire, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “the deal will contribute to start a stage of de-escalation in the region by fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, including the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon and extending its control over all Lebanese territories.”
It should pave the road for halting the Israeli “aggression” in Gaza, the statement said, urging an immediate ceasefire in the Strip, unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for Palestinians, and an end to unjustified violations in the West Bank.
It said that “negotiation and restoring rights rather than the military solution can settle crises in the region.”
“We welcome the successful conclusion of the negotiations to establish a ceasefire in Lebanon and hope that the ceasefire will be permanent,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement, noting Türkiye’s commitment to back efforts that foster stability and its readiness to support “the establishment of internal peace in Lebanon.”
“It is imperative for the international community to exert pressure on Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire and to provide reparations for the damages it has caused in Lebanon,” it said.
“We take this opportunity to recall that in order to ensure regional peace and stability, a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire must be declared in Gaza as soon as possible, and Israel must cease its aggressive policies,” it added.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it hopes the ceasefire will contribute to putting an end to the violence, destruction, and suffering faced by the Lebanese people, stressing Iraq’s continued support for the Lebanese government and people and its keenness to enhance regional stability.
Noting the importance of intensifying global efforts to avoid a new escalation, it said the international community should also take serious and urgent steps to stop the ongoing massacres and attacks against the Palestinians in Gaza.
Welcoming the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire in a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed Iran’s “decisive” support for the Lebanese government and people and stressed the necessity to immediately stop the war against Gaza and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said at a press conference that Iran welcomes the ceasefire but vowed that it will definitely respond to Israel’s attack late last month on its territory.
He was commenting on the remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the truce deal would allow Israel to “focus on Iran’s threat.”
In a statement on the social media platform X, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry welcomed the ceasefire, saying the kingdom appreciated all international efforts put forth in this regard.
It noted that Saudi Arabia hoped the truce would lead to the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and the safe return of displaced persons to their homes.
The Palestinian presidency said that it hoped this step “will help stop the violence and instability the region is suffering from as a result of Israeli policies that are leading the region to a comprehensive explosion.”
The presidency also stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735, which calls for an “immediate, comprehensive, and thorough” ceasefire in Gaza and enable the State of Palestine to assume its full responsibilities there.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) also welcomed the announcement of the agreement.
“We will cooperate with all relevant partners to implement the cessation of hostilities,” UNIFIL said in a statement, adding, “We will continue performing our mandated tasks and have already begun adjusting our operations to the new situation.”
In a statement released by the UN Information Center, Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon Imran Riza was quoted as saying that the ceasefire offers “a much-needed reprieve and hope for civilians who have endured over a year of immense suffering.”
The UN will continue to support the Lebanese government and partners by assisting all affected populations, those displaced, sheltering in collective shelters, or remaining in conflict-affected areas, Riza stressed.
