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Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs on November 26
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GAZA – Hamas announced its willingness to negotiate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and a prisoner exchange deal, signaling a potential shift in the 14-month conflict. The statement came as a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah took effect in Lebanon.
"We have informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey that Hamas is ready for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal to exchange prisoners," a senior Hamas official told AFP, accusing Israel of stalling talks.
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes hold
The truce between Israel and Hezbollah began at 4:00 AM local time, following a 10-1 vote in favor by Israel's security cabinet. The 60-day ceasefire aims to de-escalate the months-long hostilities that have displaced thousands on both sides of the Lebanese-Israeli border.
The deal was brokered by U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein, with Lebanon’s government negotiating on behalf of Hezbollah. It stipulates that all armed groups in Lebanon halt operations against Israel, while Israel commits to withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon within 60 days. The Lebanese army, alongside UN peacekeepers, will patrol the southern border.
A Palestinian child stands between makeshift tents at a camp in Deir al-Balah, November 26
Human toll of the conflicts
In Gaza, the war has claimed over 44,000 lives and left 104,000 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, at least 3,823 people have died since October 2023, with most casualties occurring since September.
International reactions
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the truce as "good news," emphasizing Israel's right to self-defense if Hezbollah violates the terms. He expressed hope that the ceasefire would herald a "new start" for Lebanon while urging progress toward peace in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement as a "paradigm shift" in Israeli security, allowing the military to focus on the Iranian threat and intensify operations against Hamas.
Netanyahu warned, "If Hezbollah violates the agreement and attempts to rearm, we will strike."
Smoke billows from buildings after the Israeli army launched an airstrikes on the Dahieh district in Beirut in Lebanon, on November 26, 2024
Skepticism and challenges
Despite optimism, experts caution that the truce remains precarious. Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat, noted the deal’s clauses are "unenforceable" and criticized its fragility.
Critics have also pointed to the limitations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which underpins the agreement but failed to curb Hezbollah’s presence in southern Lebanon following the 2006 war.
Broader implications
The truce could reshape regional dynamics. With Hezbollah stepping back, Israel may intensify its focus on Hamas in Gaza, where hostilities continue unabated. The conflict has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the International Criminal Court, which issued arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes. As the fragile ceasefire takes hold in Lebanon, the international community is watching closely to see whether this step toward de-escalation can pave the way for lasting peace.
Source: Daily Mail
