Egypt, Qatar discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts after Lebanon truce
“We talked about the sincere and tireless Egyptian-Qatari efforts that continued for more than a year in order to quickly reach a deal that would guarantee an immediate ceasefire and stop the bloodshed of the brotherly Palestinian people with the release of all hostages and a number of Palestinian prisoners,” Egypt’s Foreign Minister Abdelatty added.
First day of Lebanon ceasefire appears to hold
Night has fallen on the first day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah – a truce that the head of the UN has called “the first ray of hope” after more than a year of war.
But Israel and Hezbollah both say they are ready to deal with any new attack and are on standby for any violations.
Tonight, Israel has issued an overnight curfew to people in Lebanon seeking to return to southern Lebanon following the truce, saying some areas remained unsafe.
Attention has now turned to what this might mean for a Gaza ceasefire. The US envoy who negotiated this deal thinks it might help unlock a ceasefire in the Strip. Our correspondent Frank Gardner explains the complicating factors.
We’re closing our live coverage now. Our international correspondent Jeremy Bowen has written an in-depth piece on the ceasefire and what comes next – he says it is a respite, not a solution for the Middle East.
IDF says it has been ‘enforcing’ the ceasefire in southern Lebanon
Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), has tonight given an update, saying their soldiers are still positioned in southern Lebanon, and will “gradually withdraw in accordance with the agreement”.
He says their aircraft also continue to fly over the area, to gather intelligence.
Today, Hagari says the IDF has “operated to enforce” the agreement, and “identified suspects approaching restricted areas, detained them, and fired warning shots” – which we covered earlier.
Hagari says “any violation of the ceasefire will be met with fire”, and adds: “Residents of Lebanon, as you have seen throughout the war, we do what we say… The ceasefire agreement is structured to be gradual, and we will update you when it is safe to return to the area.”
What’s in the ceasefire deal – a reminder
After 13 months of fighting between Israel and Lebanon, today there has been silence because of the ceasefire that began at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT). The agreement means:
● Hezbollah has been given 60 days to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon
● Israeli forces must also withdraw from that area in the same timeframe
● The Lebanese army will deploy troops to this zone, and be the only armed group allowed in the area, alongside the UN peacekeeping mission
● It is designed to be permanent, according to US president Joe Biden, who helped broker the deal
But both states still have “the right to self-defence”, according to the ceasefire
Hezbollah says it will continue its resistance
Hezbollah’s operations unit has spoken for the first time since the ceasefire deal was announced, and says it pledges to “continuing the path of resistance with even greater determination”.In a post on Telegram, the group says it will stand alongside Palestinian fighters.It is also “prepared to confront Israeli enemy ambitions and aggression” and says its fighters would monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces beyond Lebanon’s borders “with their hands on the trigger”.
UK says it will continue to train Lebanese troops
Britain could train and support the Lebanese army as it works to uphold the ceasefire, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says.
He tells MPs the UK had made a commitment to stand by Lebanon, and “that means increased support going forward and we play an important role – that has been primarily in support of the armed forces”.
The UK also says it would respect the “domestic legal process” of the ICC warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, after France earlier suggested it might not arrest him if he visited.
A spokesman for PM Sir Keir Starmer says: “We aren’t going to pre-empt the domestic legal process, which… has not been used in the UK before, as an ICC indictee has never travelled to the UK. If there was such a visit, then there would be a court process and due process would be followed in relation to those issues.”
Last week Downing Street indicated Netanyahu would face arrest if he travelled to the UK.
- In its first statement since the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah says it achieved “victory” over Israel and that its fighters are at the ready.
- Israeli forces issue overnight curfew on southern Lebanon, warning that travelling south of Litani River is “forbidden” until 05:00 GMT Thursday.
- Thousands of Lebanese civilians are returning to their destroyed homes, hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect
- A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has taken effect amid hopes of a permanent end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, as well as more than a year of cross-border fighting.
- The US-brokered ceasefire to end 13 months of fighting began at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) and so far appears to be holding.
- “My family spent their lifetime building this. We lived here for 25 years and now it is all gone,” a resident of Dahieh, southern Beirut said.
- Israeli troops began a land invasion of Lebanon almost two months ago, in response to almost a year of rocket attacks from Hezbollah.
- The ceasefire in Lebanon will not directly affect Israel’s war in Gaza. Hamas officials have reacted positively to the deal, saying they are “ready” for a ceasefire in Gaza
- It comes as Israel says it will lodge an appeal of the ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu and his former defence minister over alleged war crimes in Gaza
●At least 12 people were killed in an Israeli attack on a school sheltering forcibly displaced Palestinians in Gaza City.
● Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 44,282 Palestinians and wounded 104,880 others since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.
● In Lebanon, at least 3,823 people have been killed and 15,859 wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began.
More international praise of Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire
● China has also welcomed the truce. “We support all efforts conducive to easing tensions and achieving peace and welcome the agreement reached by relevant parties on a ceasefire,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
● Cyprus also joined the chorus of countries in favour of the ceasefire, adding it will support Lebanon’s army. “The mediating role of the US and [France] to this end has been invaluable.
● Cyprus will continue to support Lebanon in fostering its state institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces,” said the country’s president, Nikos Christodoulides.
Israel says troops fired at vehicles in southern Lebanon, but ceasefire in effect
●Air strikes were reported in Beirut shortly before the deal began at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) Wednesday
● In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, cross-border fire was ongoing. Hezbollah says it launched drones Air strikes were reported in Beirut shortly before the deal began at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) Wednesday
● In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, cross-border fire was ongoing. Hezbollah says it launched drones towards Israel on Tuesday night, while Israel earlier launched extensive air strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after its military issued evacuation orders in the area
● Israeli troops began a land invasion of Lebanon almost two months ago, in response to almost a year of rocket attacks from Hezbollah
● A ceasefire in Lebanon would not directly affect Israel’s war in Gaza Israel on Tuesday night, while Israel earlier launched extensive air strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after its military issued evacuation orders in the area
● Israeli troops began a land invasion of Lebanon almost two months ago, in response to almost a year of rocket attacks from Hezbollah
● A ceasefire in Lebanon would not directly affect Israel’s war in Gaza
● Deal between Israel and Hezbollah involves Israeli forces withdrawing from Lebanon over 60 days, with Lebanon’s military taking control of territory in the south of the country to ensure Hezbollah does not rebuild forces.
● Israeli attacks have killed dozens in Gaza, including 13 people sheltering in a school in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood.
● Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 44,249 Palestinians and wounded 104,746 others since October 7, 2023.
● At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.
● In Lebanon, at least 3,823 people have been killed and 15,859 wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began.