The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal (Full Text) | Nov. 2024

The following is the text of the deal that yielded a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon early on Wednesday morning. An almost identical text was first published by the UAE English daily The National. (A widely reported accompanying “side letter” setting out American commitments to Israel has not been seen by The Times of Israel or published elsewhere, but parts of its content, as reported by Israel’s Channel 12 news, appear at the bottom of this article.)

author: Economician

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8 minutes

category:politic

Announcement of a Cessation of Hostilities and Related Commitments on Enhanced Security Arrangements and Toward the Implementation of UNSCR 1701

After discussions with the governments of the Republic of Lebanon (hereinafter “Lebanon”) and the State of Israel (hereinafter “Israel”), the United States of America and France understand that Lebanon and Israel seek a sustainable end to the current escalation of hostilities across the Blue Line and are each prepared to take steps to promote conditions for a permanent and comprehensive solution.

These understandings reflect steps to which Israel and Lebanon are committed in order to implement fully United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, recognizing that UNSCR 1701 also calls for full implementation of its predecessor UNSC resolutions, including “disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon”, so that the only forces authorized to carry arms in Lebanon will be the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Internal Security Forces, Directorate of General Security, General Directorate of State Security, Lebanese Customs, and Municipal Police (hereinafter “Lebanon’s official military and security forces”). To that end, the US and France understand the following:

1. Israel and Lebanon will implement a cessation of hostilities beginning at 04:00 hours (IST/EET, November 27, 2024, in accordance with the commitments detailed below.

2. From 04:00 hours (IST/EET), November 27, 2024, forward, the Government of Lebanon will prevent Hezbollah and all other armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out any operations against Israel, and Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, or other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air, or sea.

3. Israel and Lebanon recognize the importance of UNSCR 1701 to achieving lasting peace and security and commit to taking steps towards its full implementation, without violation.

4. These commitments do not preclude either Israel or Lebanon from exercising their inherent right of self-defense, consistent with international law.

5. Without prejudice to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its responsibilities, or to commitments in UNSCR 1701 and its predecessor resolutions, Lebanon’s official military and security forces, infrastructure, and weaponry will be the only armed groups, arms, and related materiel deployed in the southern Litani area shown in the attached LAF Deployment Plan (hereinafter “the Southern Litani Area”).

6. Consistent with UNSCR 1701 and its predecessor resolutions, in order to prevent the re-establishment and rearmament of non-state armed groups in Lebanon, any sales or supply of arms and related materiel into Lebanon will be regulated and controlled by the Government of Lebanon. Additionally, all production of arms and related materials within Lebanon will be regulated and controlled by the Government of Lebanon.

7. To implement UNSCR 1701, and upon the commencement of the cessation of hostilities according to paragraph 1, the Government of Lebanon will provide all necessary authorities, including freedom of movement, to Lebanon’s official military and security forces, and instruct them, consistent with UNSCR 1701 and its predecessor resolutions to:

a. Monitor and enforce against any unauthorized entry of arms and related materials into and throughout Lebanon, including through all border crossings, and against the unauthorized production of arms and materials within Lebanon.

b. Starting with the Southern Litani Area, dismantle all existing unauthorized facilities involved in the production of arms and related materiel, and prevent the establishment of such facilities in the future.

c. Starting with the Southern Litani Area, dismantle all infrastructure and military positions, and confiscate all unauthorized arms inconsistent with these commitments.