By: HFI staff

The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal, announced on November 27, 2024, marks a critical step toward de-escalating the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The deal, formally titled the "Cessation of Hostilities," aims to end fighting and foster stability along the Blue Line, the internationally recognized boundary between Israel and Lebanon. The ceasefire, though fragile, reflects the necessity for both sides to secure peace while addressing regional security concerns. Here, we outline the phases of this agreement and the key principles that undergird it.

Background: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701

At the heart of the ceasefire deal is the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, which has served as a cornerstone for peace efforts in the region since its adoption in 2006. UNSCR 1701 calls for the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the disarmament of all non-state armed groups in Lebanon, and the establishment of an effective and internationally recognized Lebanese government presence in southern Lebanon.

The resolution specifically tasks the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with taking control of southern Lebanon, while ensuring that Hezbollah does not rearm or engage in military operations. It also emphasizes the role of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to assist in monitoring the situation and enforcing these commitments. Despite the resolution's longstanding existence, the situation has remained volatile, largely due to Hezbollah’s continued military presence and activities in the region, often with backing from Iran.

Phases of the Ceasefire

The ceasefire agreement, which came into effect at 4:00 AM (IST) on November 27, 2024, is structured in several phases aimed at establishing long-term peace and security along the Blue Line. Below is a breakdown of these phases:

1. Immediate Cessation of Hostilities

The first and immediate phase of the agreement requires both Israel and Hezbollah to halt military operations. The Lebanese government has committed to preventing Hezbollah and other armed groups from conducting any operations against Israel, while Israel, in turn, will refrain from launching offensive military operations on Lebanese targets. This includes a suspension of air, land, and sea attacks against any civilian, military, or state targets in Lebanon.

2. Deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces

Following the ceasefire’s initiation, Lebanon will deploy its official military forces to southern Lebanon, including the Southern Litani Area, which is crucial to preventing Hezbollah from using the region as a base for attacks. The Lebanese Army (LAF) will assume control of the area, starting with the southernmost parts of the country, and will be tasked with dismantling unauthorized military infrastructure and confiscating illegal arms.

The deployment of the LAF is a critical step toward implementing UNSCR 1701, as it seeks to ensure that only the Lebanese government’s forces are present in southern Lebanon. This phase also includes efforts to stop the production of weapons and prevent further arms smuggling into the region, actions which are to be monitored by both Lebanon’s official forces and UNIFIL.

3. Israel’s Phased Withdrawal

In parallel to Lebanon’s deployment, Israel will begin a phased withdrawal of its forces from southern Lebanon, moving south of the Blue Line. This process will unfold over a maximum period of 60 days. The withdrawal will be coordinated with the LAF and monitored by UNIFIL, ensuring that the Lebanese military’s presence replaces Israel’s security forces in the region.

During this phase, the United States and France will work to facilitate enhanced cooperation between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Lebanese Army to ensure that the withdrawal is smooth and that the LAF is able to carry out its responsibilities effectively.

4. UNIFIL’s Enhanced Role and Monitoring

The ceasefire agreement places a strong emphasis on the role of UNIFIL, which has been tasked with monitoring and verifying the implementation of the agreement. UNIFIL will also oversee the enhanced tripartite mechanism (a cooperation framework between Israel, Lebanon, and the UN) to ensure that both countries adhere to their commitments, including the dismantling of unauthorized military infrastructure.

The United States and France will assist in strengthening the capacity of the LAF, particularly in terms of its ability to inspect and dismantle unauthorized military sites. This will help prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its presence in the area and ensure that the region remains free of non-state armed groups.

5. Further Negotiations and Dispute Resolution

As part of the final phase, both Israel and Lebanon will engage in indirect negotiations, facilitated by the United States and the United Nations, to address remaining disputes along the Blue Line. This will include resolving any unresolved territorial issues, and ensuring a lasting and comprehensive solution to the conflict. These negotiations will build upon the framework set out by UNSCR 1701, with the goal of achieving long-term peace and stability for both countries.

Key Principles of the Ceasefire Agreement

The ceasefire deal is built on several key principles that are designed to ensure lasting peace and security in the region:

1. Self-Defense and Sovereignty

Both Israel and Lebanon have reaffirmed their right to defend themselves in accordance with international law. While the ceasefire obligates both countries to halt offensive military operations, it explicitly acknowledges their sovereign right to respond to threats, particularly from non-state actors like Hezbollah, that may seek to destabilize the region.

2. Disarmament of Non-State Armed Groups

A central tenet of the agreement is the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah. The Lebanese government is tasked with ensuring that no group, including Hezbollah, is allowed to operate with military force in the country. This principle is in line with UNSCR 1701, which calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah and other groups that threaten peace and security in the region.

3. Lebanese Control of Southern Lebanon

The agreement emphasizes the importance of Lebanese sovereignty in the southern region, with the Lebanese Army assuming control and responsibility for security in the area. This is a direct implementation of UNSCR 1701, which calls for the establishment of a stable and effective Lebanese government presence in southern Lebanon.

4. International Cooperation and Support

The United States and France, through their roles in the ceasefire agreement, have committed to supporting Lebanon’s military and security forces, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces. This support will include capacity-building efforts, intelligence sharing, and logistical assistance to ensure that the LAF can effectively carry out its duties in dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure and preventing rearmament.

​​Violations of the Ceasefire Agreement

Despite the announcement of the ceasefire, Hezbollah and Lebanon have already violated its terms, raising serious concerns about the agreement's sustainability. Within days of the ceasefire taking effect, Hezbollah launched sporadic attacks along the Blue Line, targeting Israeli positions and civilian areas. Simultaneously, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have failed to establish effective control in southern Lebanon, allowing Hezbollah fighters to continue operating and rearming in the region. These actions directly contravene UNSCR 1701, which mandates the disarmament of all non-state actors and the prevention of hostile activities against Israel. Such violations underscore the fragile nature of the ceasefire and highlight the urgent need for robust international monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance.

Israel’s Commitment to Protecting Its Citizens

Israel’s commitment to the safety and security of its citizens remains paramount throughout the ceasefire agreement. While the ceasefire represents an opportunity for peace, Israel will continue to do everything within its power to protect its citizens from any threats, particularly those posed by Hezbollah and its backers in Iran. Israel’s right to defend itself against aggression, both from within Lebanon and from across its borders, is enshrined in international law and remains a fundamental principle of its national security strategy.

Conclusion

The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire represents a fragile yet crucial step toward stabilizing a region fraught with tension and recurring violence. While the agreement outlines promising phases for de-escalation and the disarmament of non-state actors, the situation on the ground underscores the immense challenges to achieving lasting peace.

Hezbollah has already violated the ceasefire by launching sporadic attacks. These early breaches highlight the precariousness of the current ceasefire and call into question the capacity of the LAF to prevent Hezbollah from rearming or engaging in further hostilities. The history of such agreements has shown that even small violations can spiral into renewed conflict, particularly when international enforcement mechanisms are insufficient.

For residents of northern Israel, the ceasefire’s fragility poses profound challenges. Many families, displaced by weeks of violence, face agonizing decisions about whether to return to their homes along the Lebanese border or remain in temporary housing. The uncertainty of the ceasefire’s durability, coupled with the fear of renewed hostilities, weighs heavily on their daily lives. Compounding this hardship is the shortage of basic necessities in the north—from food supplies to medical services—which makes returning home a daunting prospect for many. Communities remain on edge, with bomb shelters still a part of daily routines and businesses struggling to reopen amid the ongoing tension.

Israel has made it unequivocally clear that it will respond decisively to any further breaches of the ceasefire. This position reflects not only Israel's commitment to protecting its citizens but also its recognition of the high stakes involved in maintaining a deterrent against aggression. The Israeli government’s statements underscore a readiness to act, driven by the knowledge that a failure to respond robustly could embolden Hezbollah and destabilize the region further.

For northern Israel’s residents, the stakes are deeply personal. Their hope for peace is tempered by the immediate challenges of rebuilding their lives and the constant worry that the ceasefire may not hold. This reality calls for unwavering international commitment to rigorous monitoring and enforcement of the ceasefire terms. A failure to enforce the agreement could lead to an escalation with far-reaching consequences, not only for Israel and Lebanon but for the broader Middle East.

In this volatile environment, the need for vigilance cannot be overstated. The stakes are extraordinarily high, and the margin for error is slim. The path to peace requires unwavering commitment, rigorous monitoring, and a willingness to hold all parties accountable. Only through such concerted efforts can the promise of the ceasefire transform from a temporary reprieve into a foundation for enduring stability.

Feature image credit: Israel Defense Forces