A US-brokered truce takes effect at 4 a.m. local time.
President Biden announced a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, effective 4 a.m. Wednesday, following a US-mediated agreement.
Fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Shia militia escalated in September, prompting Israeli airstrikes and ground troop deployment.
“I spoke with the Israeli and Lebanese prime ministers,” Biden stated from the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday. “Their governments have accepted the US proposal to end the conflict.”
The ceasefire aims “to permanently halt hostilities,” the president added.
The agreement involves Lebanese army and police deployment to the border within 60 days, with Israel’s subsequent phased withdrawal of troops and civilians, according to Biden. Hezbollah and “other terrorist groups will be excluded” from the area.
Intense fighting continued in the hours preceding the announcement, with Israeli air strikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel.
Israel’s government overwhelmingly approved the US proposal, with only one dissenting minister, according to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office. However, West Jerusalem “retains the right to respond to security threats.”
Biden also urged Hamas to accept a Gaza ceasefire.
“Hamas must choose to release the hostages, including American citizens, ending the fighting and enabling humanitarian aid,” he said.
Israel launched its offensive against Hamas following the October 7th attack that killed over 1,100 Israelis and resulted in an estimated 250 hostages.