Context:

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect on November 27, after the US president declared that both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the US and France. 

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• Prior to the ceasefire declaration, Israel’s security cabinet had already approved (10-1 vote) this US-backed proposal.
• This 13-month-long conflict between the two started last year in October when Hamas attacked Israel, and Hezbollah supported Hamas to counter Israeli retaliation. 

Key Highlights/Conditions of the Ceasefire

• The ceasefire agreement gives both forces 60 days to withdraw to their respective positions.

Withdrawal of Forces:

• Hezbollah would withdraw its troops and weapons to the north of the Litani River. 
• Israeli defence forces would withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon to Blue Line, the de-facto border between Lebanon and Israel.
• The Lebanese Army would be deployed between the Litani and the Israeli border to monitor and enforce the ceasefire. 

This ceasefire has been based on UNSC Resolution 1701 from the 2006 conflict between the two, which ended the war by focusing on enforcing the conditions of this resolution.

Enhanced Monitoring and Supervision:

• Lebanon will increase monitoring of Hezbollah movements south of the Litani River to prevent them from regrouping. Ceasefire monitoring will be done by:
• UN peacekeeping forces
• Lebanese military
• A multinational committee, now including the U.S. and France, alongside Lebanon, Israel, and UNIFIL.

Why is Israel withdrawing now?

• Israel aims to shift its attention toward countering the bigger challenge which is Iran.
• The ceasefire allows Israeli forces time to regroup and replenish their resources.
• By stopping the conflict with Hezbollah for now, Israel aims to keep the wars with Hamas and Hezbollah separate (two different fronts).
• Hezbollah opened a secondary front in support of Hamas after the Hamas attack and Israel’s retaliation on Gaza.
• A long-term military presence in Lebanon could weaken Israel's forces and strengthen Hezbollah’s support within Lebanon.