Truce holds, Lebanon rejoices

Guns silent | Displaced troop back home, Israel promises 10km security zone

AP

Dubai

A 10-day ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump and agreed on by Lebanon and Israel appeared to be holding in Lebanon on Friday, potentially boosting efforts to extend a truce between Iran, the US and Israel.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire “to advance” peace efforts with Lebanon, but said Israeli troops would not withdraw. Israel would maintain a 10-km security zone in southern Lebanon.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said, “We will remain in a 10-kilometre security zone, which will allow us to prevent infiltration into communities and anti-tank missile fire.”

Israel’s hardline Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday Israel’s attempts to completely disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon “is not yet complete.” 

He said Israel would continue to hold all the places it is currently stationed. 

“We defined the goal: disarming Hezbollah by military or diplomatic means, was and remains the goal of the campaign to which we are committed.”

Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah praised Iran as he spoke to reporters in the battered Beirut southern suburb.

“Yesterday, before the ceasefire, Hezbollah's leadership was informed around 4am from the Iranian ambassador there will be a ceasefire at night,” he said.

“We were informed from the Islamic Republic that the calls they took with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were encouraging and facilitating for a ceasefire as first step.” 

Fadlallah said the militant group's key positions — a complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli troops, a return of all Lebanese displaced people, releasing prisoners held by Israel and reconstruction — have not changed.

Are happy days back?

As the 10-day truce begins, displaced people have started to return to their homes.

Images show scores of people walking along and driving along roads to get back towards Sidon in southern Lebanon. There were queues of traffic in Sidon. Authorities said the war had displaced more than a million people.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces hit Tyre in Lebanon on Thursday night, killing 13 people and wounding 35. Also, a search was on for 15 missing people under the rubble. The strikes took place before the ceasefire came into effect at midnight.