Biden says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire will take effect Wednesday morning

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah will take effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday.

The accord, clearing the way for an end to a conflict that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year, was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities, Biden said in remarks at the White House.

Fighting across the Israel-Lebanon border will end at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT), Biden said.

"This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities," he said. "What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.”

Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over a period of 60 days as Lebanon's army takes control of territory near its border with Israel to ensure that Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure there, Biden said.

"Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities," he said.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib earlier said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier said he was ready to implement a ceasefire deal and would respond forcefully to any violation by Hezbollah, declaring Israel would retain "complete military freedom of action".

Netanyahu, who faces some opposition to the deal from within his coalition government, said the ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on the threat from Iran, replenish depleted arms supplies and give the army a rest, and to isolate Hamas, the militant group that triggered war in the region when it attacked Israel from Gaza last year.

"We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory," Netanyahu said.

"In full coordination with the United States, we retain complete military freedom of action. Should Hezbollah violate the agreement or attempt to rearm, we will strike decisively."

Netanyahu said Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and allied to Hamas, was considerably weaker than it had been at the start of the conflict.

"We have set it back decades, eliminated ... its top leaders, destroyed most of its rockets and missiles, neutralized thousands of fighters, and obliterated years of terror infrastructure near our border," he said.

The agreement includes the following provisions:

1. Cessation of Offensive Actions: Hezbollah and all other armed organizations operating on Lebanese territory will refrain from conducting offensive actions against Israel. In return, Israel will cease all offensive military actions against targets in Lebanon, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.

2. Commitment to UN Resolution 1701: Both Israel and Lebanon reaffirm the significance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 as a cornerstone for maintaining peace and security.

3. Right to Self-Defense: The agreement recognizes the inherent right of both Israel and Lebanon to self-defense, in accordance with international law.

4. Exclusive Authority of Lebanese Forces: The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and security forces will be the only entities authorized to bear arms or deploy troops in southern Lebanon.

5. Arms Regulation: The Lebanese government will oversee the sale, supply, and production of arms and related materials within its territory.

6. Dismantling of Unauthorized Facilities: All unauthorized facilities involved in the production of weapons and related materials will be dismantled.

7. Confiscation of Unauthorized Arms: Military infrastructure and positions that do not comply with these commitments will be dismantled, and all unauthorized weapons will be confiscated.

8. Oversight Committee: A jointly approved committee will be established to monitor and facilitate the implementation of these commitments.

9. Reporting Mechanisms: Any violations of the agreement will be reported to the oversight committee and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

10. Border Deployment: Lebanon will deploy official security forces and the army along all border crossings and the designated southern line, as outlined in the deployment plan.

11. Gradual Withdrawal: Israel will begin a phased withdrawal from the area south of the Blue Line within 60 days.

12. Border Negotiations: The United States will enhance indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to achieve a mutually recognized and internationally acknowledged border demarcation.