The Israeli Cabinet approves the ceasefire with Lebanon as the White house confirms that the agreement will enter into force at 4:00 AM local time
The Israeli security cabinet approved, on Tuesday evening, an agreement with Lebanon to cease fire.
US President Joe Biden confirmed that the Israeli and Lebanese sides agreed to the agreement, and that it will enter into force at 4:00 am on Wednesday (2:00 GMT).
“The cabinet approved the US proposal for a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon this evening (Tuesday) by a majority of 10 ministers, with one minister opposing it,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
The statement added, “Israel appreciates the US contribution to the process, and reserves the right to act against any threat to its security”.
Meanwhile, the Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is the only minister in the cabinet who voted against the ceasefire.
US President Joe Biden said in a statement, “The ceasefire will go into effect at 4:00 am, and within the next 60 days, Israel will withdraw its forces from Lebanon,” according to Israeli Army Radio.
For his part, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire agreement with Israel on Tuesday evening, calling on the latter to fully abide by the terms of the agreement and withdraw from all Lebanese positions it occupies.
This came during a phone call with him by US President Joe Biden, after his speech in which he announced the approval of the Lebanese and Israeli parties to the agreement, which will enter into force at 2:00 GMT on Wednesday morning.
Paris and Washington also announced in a joint statement issued Tuesday evening that they will work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.
The two countries also stressed that they are determined to prevent the conflict from leading to another cycle of violence.
