‘Gazans have been through hell’ – After Lebanon ceasefire, Biden makes final push for Gaza truce

Biden touts ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, while holding out hope truce could lead to breakthrough on hostage deal – and a path to Palestinian statehood.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

President Joe Biden on Tuesday touted an agreement brokered by the United States between Israel, Lebanon, and the Hezbollah terror organization paving the way for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah beginning Wednesday morning.

Addressing reporters at a White House Rose Garden press conference Tuesday afternoon, Biden announced there was “good news to report from the Middle East,” after Israel’s security cabinet voted to accept a truce with the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group, and to withdraw all Israeli forces from Lebanese territory within 60 days.

“I just spoke with the prime minister of Israel and Lebanon, and I’m pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States’ proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah,” Biden said.

The president emphasized that the U.S. held Hezbollah, not Israel, responsible for the war on Israel’s northern front, which began a day after Hamas’ invasion of southern Israel on October 7th, 2023.

“Let’s be clear: Israel did not launch this war. The Lebanese people did not seek that war either, nor did the United States.”

Biden added that the ceasefire was “designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” rather than a temporary truce in between rounds of fighting.

“What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed — will — I emphasize — will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.”

“We’re determined this conflict will not be just another cycle of violence.”

No American troops will be deployed in Lebanon, Biden said, though the U.S. and France will monitor the area to ensure compliance with the truce.

The president expressed optimism that Wednesday’s ceasefire could be built upon to secure a deal between Israel and Hamas, and lamented the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

“Just as the Lebanese people deserve a future of security and prosperity, so do the people of Gaza. They too deserve an end to the fighting and displacement.”

“The people of Gaza have been through hell. Their word — their world is absolutely shattered.”

“Over the coming days, the United States will make another push with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and others to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza with the hostages released and the end to the war without Hamas in power — that it becomes possible.”

Biden also used the Lebanon truce to reiterate his hope that talks to end the current conflicts in the Middle East may become the basis for negotiations leading to Palestinian statehood.

“Today’s announcement brings us closer to realizing… a vision for the future of the Middle East where it’s at peace and prosperous and integrated across borders; a future where Palestinians have a state of their own.”

The U.S., Biden continued “remains prepared to conclude a set of historic deals with Saudi Arabia to include a security pact and economic assurances together with a credible pathway for establishing a Palestinian state and the full… normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.”

Biden Administrationgaza stripHamasHezbollahHezbollah ceasefireJoe BidenLebanon