Israel reached a deal for a 60-day cease-fire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah after weeks of talks mediated by the U.S., a first step toward ending a conflict that has killed thousands of people.
President Joe Biden, who spoke after talking with the leaders of Israel and Lebanon, said at the White House Tuesday that all sides had agreed to a cease-fire that would “end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.” More broadly, Biden said the U.S. “remains prepared to conclude a set of historic deals with Saudi Arabia to include a security pact and economic assurance” for the region.
Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would bring the proposed Lebanon cease-fire to a vote by his security cabinet, which gave its approval. He said Israel would now be able to focus on “the Iranian threat” and boost pressure in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.