Arab countries welcomed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon that took effect early Wednesday, ending over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah group, Anadolu Agency reports.
In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the ceasefire would pave the way for de-escalation in the region through the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and the deployment of the Lebanese army to southern Lebanon.
Resolution 1701, adopted on 11 August, 2006, calls for a complete halt to hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and the establishment of a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River in southern Lebanon, with exceptions for the Lebanese army and the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL).
Egypt said the deal should be “a prelude to stopping the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip” in addition to “the necessity of reaching an immediate ceasefire, unhindered access to humanitarian aid to the enclave and halting the unjustified violations in the West Bank.”
READ: Lebanese army prepares to deploy in southern Lebanon after ceasefire
Jordan hailed the ceasefire as “an important step toward halting Israel’s aggression on the Gaza Strip and its assaults in the Occupied West Bank.”
It called the deal “a first step towards reducing the escalation that threatens international peace and security, and maintaining the delivery of sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza.”
The Palestinian Authority voiced hope that the ceasefire agreement would contribute “to ending violence and instability in the region as a result of Israeli policies that are leading the region to explosion.”
Iraq reiterated its support to Lebanon, voicing hope that the ceasefire deal will contribute to putting an end to the violence, destruction and suffering of the Lebanese people.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry welcomed the agreement, hoping that it will “lead to a similar accord to end the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli attacks on the Occupied West Bank.”
A Ministry statement reaffirmed Qatar’s “steadfast support” for Lebanon’s unity and territorial integrity.
The ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon took effect hours after US President, Joe Biden, said a proposal to end the conflict had been reached, amid hopes it would stop Israeli air strikes on Lebanese towns and cities and end the year-long cross-border fighting.
Over 3,800 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.
READ: Hezbollah MP: Israel air strikes are ‘revenge’ ahead of ceasefire