The Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire Agreement: Divergent Reactions and Escalating On-Ground Positions
Reactions Continue to Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire Agreement as Implementation Advances
Reactions to the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel persisted a day after its implementation began. Meanwhile, thousands of displaced Lebanese have started returning to their villages, as the Lebanese Army intensifies its deployment in the south in line with the agreement.
In this context, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami described the ceasefire agreement in a letter to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naeem Qassem as a “strategic defeat for the Zionist entity.” Salami asserted that Hezbollah had achieved a victory that forced Israel into the agreement, adding that Israel’s acceptance of the deal despite strategic losses serves as a lesson to its supporters. He also noted that the ceasefire might pave the way for an end to the war in Gaza.
Similarly, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that Hezbollah had succeeded in “shattering the myth of Israel’s invincibility,” urging Israel to acknowledge defeat in Gaza as well. He emphasized that despite U.S. support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he was compelled to agree to the ceasefire due to significant losses in southern Lebanon.
U.S. and International Stance
U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein announced that an American team might arrive in the region soon to monitor the agreement’s implementation. He stressed that the monitoring mechanism would ensure accountability for all parties and address violations immediately. Hochstein noted that the U.S.-led monitoring committee includes France, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Lebanon, and Israel.
The agreement, which took effect on Wednesday, stipulates that armed presence south of the Litani River be limited to the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL. However, it does not require the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas they advanced into, allowing a 60-day window for the Lebanese Army to prepare for full deployment.
Hochstein also highlighted Washington’s commitment to working with the international community to rebuild Lebanon and promote stability. He urged Lebanese citizens to elect a president and form a government that reflects their aspirations, independent of Hezbollah’s influence.
On-the-Ground Developments
The Islamic Resistance Operations Room in Lebanon, affiliated with Hezbollah, announced that its fighters would continue monitoring Israeli withdrawals, affirming their readiness to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty. The group claimed significant Israeli losses, including the deaths of over 130 soldiers, injuries to more than 1,250 others, and the destruction of advanced military equipment.
Conversely, the Israeli military denied plans to reduce its presence in Lebanon, emphasizing that residents of southern Lebanon should avoid returning to evacuated areas or approaching Israeli forces to prevent further confrontations.
