How countries are responding to the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

A ceasefire was announced between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah on Tuesday night, coming into effect at 4 am local time (0200 GMT). It was welcomed with near-unanimity around the world, however Israel threatened to act unilaterally if its demands were not met.

This follows over two months of full-scale Israeli war on Lebanon, which broke out after nearly a year of cross-border clashes which began around the same time as Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023.

Thousands of people have been killed and around 1.3 million more have been displaced from their homes

Under the terms of the truce, Israel will begin a gradual withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon over the next 60 days, with the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers taking over security in the region. 

Reactions have been varied both within Lebanon and Israel and internationally, with Lebanese residents expressing relief and returning to the south despite Israeli warnings to avoid previously evacuated areas.  

Lebanon 

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for national unity, describing the past months as Lebanon’s “most cruel phase.”

He stressed the Lebanese army’s responsibility for security in the south and called for Israel to honour the ceasefire and withdraw.  

Mikati also conveyed to US President Joe Biden that the ceasefire is a “fundamental step” toward regional stability.  

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called on all displaced Lebanese, both within the country and abroad, to return to their homeland. 

Hezbollah 

Hezbollah has not yet commented directly on the ceasefire, though Parliament Speaker Berri mediated on its behalf. The group was not directly involved in ceasefire negotiations. 

Israel 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Joe Biden for securing the ceasefire but threatened that Israel would maintain the freedom to act militarily if necessary.  

Netanyahu said that the ceasefire’s length would depend on events in Lebanon, with Israel continuing to focus on Hamas and the “Iranian threat.”

Iran 

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed support for the ceasefire, hoping it could lead to a lasting peace.  

However, he emphasised Iran’s right to respond to Israeli actions, specifically the Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets in October.  

Araghchi warned that easing tensions between Israel and Iran would depend on Israel’s actions. 

Hamas 

The Palestinian group expressed its commitment to working towards a ceasefire in Gaza.

They stressed that the deal must end the Israeli occupation in Gaza and secure the return of displaced Palestinians, along with an exchange of prisoners.  

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said his group “appreciates” Hezbollah’s right to create an agreement to protect its people, telling news agency Reuters that he believes Israel’s Netanyahu should hold responsibility for failed talks to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Palestinian Authority  

The Palestinian presidency welcomed the ceasefire but called for global pressure on Israel to stop its actions in Gaza and the West Bank.  

They called for the enforcement of a UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Yemen’s Houthis  

Spokesman Abdul Salam Salah praised Hezbollah’s “steadfastness” in its conflict against Israel, adding that the “Israeli enemy would not have submitted and accepted the ceasefire had it not clashed with a solid resistance that did not break in the face of the treacherous assassination crimes.” 

Elsewhere in the Middle East

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Iraq urged the international community to act swiftly to prevent further escalation, particularly in Gaza while Jordan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the ceasefire but called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza. 

Qatar expressed hope that the ceasefire would lead to similar agreements to halt Israeli attacks in Gaza and the West Bank and Turkey called for a permanent ceasefire and urged Israel to adhere to its terms, offering support to Lebanon. 

Europe, the UN, and the US

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called the ceasefire encouraging, saying it would help enhance security and stability in Lebanon and the wider region while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasised France’s role in securing the ceasefire, citing its historic ties with Lebanon. 

Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the ceasefire, highlighting Italy’s efforts to facilitate such a resolution. 

In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the ceasefire as long overdue and said it should lead to a lasting political solution for Lebanon and the Middle East. 

UN Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert welcomed the ceasefire but stressed the need for full commitment from both parties to achieve lasting peace. 

In the US, President Joe Biden welcomed the ceasefire, pledging to lead efforts for a similar agreement in Gaza to release hostages and end the war.