Biden Praises Israel–Hezbollah Cease-Fire Deal

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden announced on Nov. 26 that the governments of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a U.S.-brokered cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.

“Today, I have some good news to report from the Middle East,” Biden said. “Just spoke with the prime minister of Israel and Lebanon. I’m pleased to announce that the governments have accepted the United States proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.”

Biden’s announcement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the agreement to his cabinet earlier on Tuesday. The Israeli prime minister’s cabinet approved the deal with a 10–1 vote.

The cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon will end more than a year of cross-border air and rocket attacks as well as two months of ground operations by Israel aimed at pushing the Hezbollah terrorist group away from its northern border. The war broke out after the Hamas terrorist organization launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and has continued alongside the conflict in Gaza.

Biden said the cease-fire is set to go into effect at 4 a.m. local time across Israel and Lebanon, about five hours after he announced the deal.

“This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” Biden said.

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