Ceasefire or "we-cease-and-they-fire?" - Breaking Updates from Northern Israel
Security cabinet okays ceasefire deal; northern Israel comes under under heavy bombardment by the Iranian proxy, Hezbollah, and the IDF pounds back in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon.
[UPDATE 22:10 IST: security cabinet okays ceasefire agreement. Biden to make a statement.] ”A ceasefire in Lebanon is expected to be announced by the United States and France at 10 p.m.
“Presidents Biden and Macron will announce the deal during the night, with the alleged agreement set to take effect at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
This comes after several days of strained last-minute negotiation, in which Israel pushed for the removal of France as guarantor of the security situation in Lebanon, citing current diplomatic tensions between France and Israel.” (JPost)
Initial reports of heavy rocket fire into central Israel:
This is a breaking, developing report—I can’t even keep up with the high numbers of rockets and explosive UAV drone swarms still incoming across many areas in northern Israel as I’m typing; been hearing the booms since this morning—and I’ll be updating it as events develop, so please subscribe and stay tuned - DB]:
"School has been canceled this morning due to the imminent outbreak of regional peace. Please stay close to your shelters." (via a friend living near me, here in the north of Israel) Sorta' like a school "snow day," but with much more excitement.
Reports on the Arab networks: The Americans and the French will make a joint statement tonight at 10 p.m. on reaching a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
The Israeli Security Cabinet has met at the Defense Ministry's “Kiriya” complex in downtown Tel Aviv for the final debate on the terms of the agreement.
I’ll post them when I get accurate, verifiable info — and not breathless “would’a, could’a, should’a accounts by media seeking to be the first to share rumors and spin.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to make a statement on the deal at 8:00 pm IST (20:00) - from personal experience on these things: expect last-minute delay before he reaches the podium. I’ll post the official translation as soon as possible. Meanwhile, here’s part of YnetNews’ version via Google Translate: "The war will not end until we achieve all of its goals, including until we return the residents of the North safely home. It will happen just as it happened in the South. The achievements cause astonishment and admiration in the entire world. I am determined to do everything necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons For me, removing this threat is the most important task to ensure the existence and future of the State of Israel. There is no place we do not reach.” [The rest of his statement is pasted in at the bottom of this update -DB]
Meanwhile, "Hezbollah threatens: tonight at 20:00 there will be an attack that you will never forget: The Hezbollah organization published a new threat towards the State of Israel today at noon, in which it was stated that at 20:00 in the evening there will be an attack that has not been seen before. According to the announcement, this is a "direct response to Israel's recent actions".
“Prime Minister's Office Statements
The Security Cabinet, this evening (Tuesday, 26 November 2024), in a 10-1 vote, approved the US proposal for a ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon.
Israel appreciates the US contribution to the process, and maintains its right to act against any threat to its security.
#
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Tuesday, 26 November 2024), spoke to US President Joe Biden and thanked him for the US involvement in achieving the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and for the understanding that Israel maintains freedom of action in enforcing it.”
Beirut: ”Within 2 minutes, the IDF says it struck 20 Hezbollah sites in Beirut's southern suburbs a short while ago.
The fast and extensive wave of airstrikes was carried out by eight fighter jets, according to the military.
Seven buildings targeted in the strikes were used by Hezbollah for the management and storage of funds, the IDF says, including headquarters, vaults and branches of the Al-Qard al-Hasan association, known to be used by Hezbollah as a quasi-bank.
The other 13 sites included a Hezbollah aerial forces center, an intelligence division command room, weapon depots, and other military infrastructure, the IDF adds.
Before the strikes were carried out the IDF issued evacuation warnings to civilians in the vicinity.” (via IDF and “Mannie’s War Room”)
“IDF spokesman Col. Avihai Edrai:
To the residents of Lebanon, pay attention:
⭕️ The IDF continues to work vigorously to dismantle Hezbollah's terrorist structures.
⭕️ In the near future we will attack several branches of Alkard Alhassan Association (bank branches), as these branches contain Iranian financing funds and additional sources of income for Hezbollah, which are actually used to manage and store Hezbollah's terrorist interests.
These attacks will be another blow to the Iranian financing chain for Hezbollah, which uses it for its military purposes.
⭕️ Residents of Lebanon, in the next few hours we will notify residents who live near buildings used by Hezbollah of the need to evacuate in order to maintain your safety, according to the maps that will be published.”
During a meeting with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed decisive action, stating, “Israel will respond to any threat. Every attempt to smuggle weapons will be intercepted, and any danger to our forces or citizens will be swiftly eliminated.”
In matters of war and peace in the Arab world - and I say this with respect and many historical examples - there's a well-known concept of “Dar al Islam wa'dar all harb” - “the Realm of Islam and the Realm of the Sword” - meaning the Caliphate and the “not yet” Caliphate.” A corollary of that mindset is that the perception of victory is at least as important as the real-world victory in rallying and unifying the masses.
For Hezbollah, standing atop a pile of bodies and rubble after bankrupting and devastating Lebanon's native peoples and economy into a derelict, failed, hollowed-out nation-state - the pan-Arab optics and long-term strategy are more than worth the transient, tactical losses.
And, thus, at 10:00 AM, Wednesday morning Israeli reporter, Sapir Lipkin, brings the visual, literal proof of what I wrote a day earlier: “The cover of Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Akhbar newspaper on the morning of the ceasefire: ‘Standing strong, winning.’"
PM Netanyahu’s full statement: “The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon. We will enforce the agreement and respond with force to any violation. We will continue together until victory.”
“Citizens of Israel,
I promised you victory—and we will achieve it.
We will complete the eradication of Hamas, return all of our captives, ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel, and safely return the residents of the north to their homes.
This war will not end until we achieve all its objectives, including the safe return of northern residents to their homes. I assure you—it will happen, just as it did in the south.
My friends, residents of the north,
I am proud of you. I am proud of your resilience—and I am fully committed to your security, the rehabilitation of your communities, and your future.
Thus far, thanks to the bravery of our fighters in the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, and the Israeli Police, we have achieved tremendous successes on the seven fronts of the ‘Restoration War.’
These achievements have garnered admiration and awe around the world, projecting Israel’s strength across the Middle East:
First—the head of the octopus—Iran. We have destroyed significant portions of its air defense systems and missile production capabilities and eliminated a substantial component of its nuclear program.
I am determined to do whatever is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. This threat has always been my top priority, and today it is even more pressing, given Iran’s repeated declarations of its intent to acquire nuclear arms. For me, neutralizing this threat is the most critical mission to secure Israel’s existence and future.
In Gaza, we dismantled Hamas brigades, killed approximately 20,000 terrorists, eliminated Sinwar, al-Deif, and other senior figures, and brought back 154 of our captives. We are committed to bringing all the remaining captives home—101 individuals still in Gaza, both living and deceased—and ending their families’ unimaginable suffering. Naturally, we are also committed to completing the eradication of Hamas.
In Judea and Samaria, we are neutralizing hundreds of terrorists, destroying terror infrastructures, and operating in all strongholds of terror. There is no place we do not reach.
In Yemen, we struck Houthi-held Hudaydah port with force—something the international coalition had not achieved before.
In Iraq, we successfully thwarted and continue to thwart numerous drone attacks, and we face ongoing challenges there as well.
In Syria, we are systematically disrupting Iran’s, Hezbollah’s, and the Syrian army’s efforts to transfer weapons to Lebanon. Assad must understand—he is playing with fire.
And now, the seventh front—Lebanon. Hezbollah chose to attack us on October 8. A year has passed—it is no longer the same Hezbollah. We’ve set it back decades. We’ve eliminated Nasrallah, the linchpin of the axis, along with the organization’s senior leadership, destroyed most of its missiles and rockets, killed thousands of fighters, and obliterated the underground and terror infrastructures near our border—structures built over years.
We attacked strategic targets throughout Lebanon, toppling dozens of terror towers in Dahiya. The ground shakes in Beirut.
Citizens of Israel,
Three months ago, all of this would have sounded like science fiction. But it’s not—it’s reality. We did this.
Let me tell you—at every moment in managing this campaign, I look at all the fronts simultaneously. This was my approach at the start of the war when I chose to focus on Gaza without opening a wide second front in Lebanon. This was my approach months ago when the conditions ripened for us to move north and focus on Hezbollah.
This was my approach following the missile attack from Iran when we carefully chose the timing and nature of our response.
And this is my approach today. I see the full picture across all fronts. I am determined to provide our heroic soldiers with every means necessary to protect their lives and secure our victory.
Therefore, citizens of Israel,
Tonight, I will present the cabinet with a framework for a ceasefire in Lebanon. The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon.
In full coordination with the United States, we are maintaining complete military freedom of action. If Hezbollah violates the agreement or attempts to rearm, we will strike. If it tries to rebuild terror infrastructure near the border, we will strike. If it fires a rocket, digs a tunnel, or brings in a truck carrying missiles—we will strike.
I hear the claim that if we agree to a ceasefire, we won’t be able to attack or renew the fighting. I remind you—that’s exactly what was said when we agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the release of our captives. They said we wouldn’t resume fighting. We resumed fighting—and how.
Some say Hezbollah will remain quiet for a year or two, rearm, and then attack us. But Hezbollah will violate the ceasefire not only by firing at us but also by attempting to rearm for future attacks. We will respond with force to any violation.
I know there are skeptics who doubt we’ll follow through. But many doubted we would launch a ground operation in Gaza—and we did. They doubted we’d enter Shifa and Khan Yunis—and we did. They doubted we’d press into Rafah and Philadelphi under immense international pressure—and we didn’t just enter; we struck—and how. Many also doubted we’d attack Lebanon—but we did, with overwhelming power and sophistication that stunned the world.
So, after all this, perhaps it’s time to believe—to believe in our determination, our path, and our commitment to victory.
Why opt for a ceasefire now? There are three main reasons:
First—focusing on the Iranian threat. I won’t elaborate further.
Second—replenishing and refreshing our forces. I’ll be frank, as this is no secret: there were significant delays in the supply of weapons and munitions. This bottleneck is about to clear. We will acquire advanced weaponry that will safeguard our soldiers and provide us with additional firepower to complete our missions.
Third—isolating Hamas by neutralizing other fronts. Since the war’s second day, Hamas has relied on Hezbollah joining the fight. With Hezbollah out of the equation, Hamas stands alone. Our pressure on them will increase, aiding the sacred mission of freeing our captives.
Citizens of Israel,
In the past year, we have turned the tide. Attacked on seven fronts, we responded with force. We are reshaping the Middle East. All of this is achieved thanks to our heroic soldiers, your steadfast resilience, and the firm, calculated management of this war.
I’ve said it many times: a good agreement is one that is enforced—and we will enforce it.
With God’s help, we will strengthen our security, rejuvenate the north, and continue together until victory!”
This report will be updated as events dictate. Meanwhile, please feel free to share this post, subscribe, and help support my efforts to bring you accurate, sourced reporting, and close-up-and-personal slice-of-life scenes here in northern Israel and our Life on the Border - thank you for your consideration:
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Illuminating reporting; I prefer it to the organizational outlets. First hand and on the ground.