Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire: A Short-lived Solution

• Hezbollah’s rockets into Israel in October 2023 were initiated in solidarity with Palestinians.

• Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fourth invasion in Lebanon in October 2024 aimed to return over 50,000 residents of northern Israel displaced by Hezbollah rockets.

• In less than two months, Hezbollah and Israel agreed to a U.S. and France-mediated ceasefire.

• The agreement involved all Israeli troops withdrawing from Lebanon to the Israeli side of the border, while Hezbollah redeployed its forces north of the Litani river.

• Both sides claimed victory, but both suffered setbacks and wanted a break.

• Israel’s failures were starker, with Hezbollah losing many fighters and top commanders.

• Israel’s bombings had little impact on Hezbollah’s rocket-firing capability.

• A Channel 13 poll shows most Israelis believe Hezbollah has not been defeated.

• The U.S. should build on the momentum and push for a ceasefire in Gaza, using President Joe Biden’s less than two months in office to correct a policy that gave unconditional support for Israel’s war on Gaza.