Israel’s ceasefire with Lebanon makes peace in Gaza ever less likely

There is genuine hope that the ceasefire deal will last, although many question marks remain,

wrote Daniel Byman, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service

Now I think the political and geopolitical stars are both aligned and we’re going to see what we can do over the next 50, whatever days it is,

the official said

After October 7, Israel is far less trusting of deterrence and more of a believer in keeping its enemies weak,

he wrote

Irony of ironies it might well fall apart on Trump’s watch,

he added

Are we at the beginning of the end? Definitely not. We still have a lot to do,

Dichter said, ... according to Reuters

We can and must conquer the Gaza Strip. We should not be afraid of that word,

Smotrich said at an event on Monday night

What’s at stake as well, I think, are the larger ramifications of getting an agreement, including what I believe can be very positive effects on also ending the conflict in Gaza,

he said on Tuesday

The question is how committed the US-led effort will be to police the agreement, to remain steadfast in its own role to ensure enforcement."

However, Ozcelik continued

The challenge would be, for the Americans, is if Hezbollah is not implementing the agreement,

he said

This is now when the hard work begins to ensure that violations are not committed by either party,

she said

Then the whole thing will collapse right away and Israel will resume the war,

he said

The announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon,

the leaders said in a joint statement

We hope that this step will contribute to stopping the violence and instability that the region is suffering from,

the Palestinian presidency said in a statement, highlighting the need to enforce a UN resolution for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is required,

said UN special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert

We support all efforts conducive to easing tensions and achieving peace and welcome the agreement reached by relevant parties on a ceasefire,

foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said

Welcoming the news" of the end of Israel's "aggression against Lebanon,

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, stressing Iran's "firm support for the Lebanese government, nation and resistance."

Lebanon will have an opportunity to increase internal security and stability thanks to Hezbollah's reduced influence,

she said

If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack."

Both Mr. Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed Tuesday that

It's not safe to go home,

Israeli Eliyahu Maman said as the truce silenced the rocket-fire

For every violation, ... we will attack with might."

Netanyahu threatened