Biden hails Israel-Lebanon cease-fire, seeks Türkiye’s help for Gaza peace

rU.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday hailed the cease-fire agreement brokered by the United States and France between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon as “good news.”

The deal, set to take effect at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) on Wednesday, was confirmed by Biden during a statement at the White House, following an announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office that his ministers had approved the terms.

“I have some good news to report from the Middle East,” Biden, who is due to leave office in less than two months, said in a speech in the Rose Garden of the White House.

“I just spoke with the prime ministers of Israel and Lebanon and I’m pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States’ proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.”

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said an Israel-Hezbollah truce to go into effect Wednesday was a “fundamental step” towards restoring stability.

US to work with Türkiye for Gaza cease-fire

Alongside the Israel-Lebanon truce, Biden stated that the U.S. would work with Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and Israel in the coming days to push for a cease-fire in Gaza. The initiative comes as efforts intensify to quell violence in multiple areas of the Middle East.

“Now Hamas has a choice to make. Their only way out is to release the hostages, including American citizens, which they hold, and, in the process, bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief,” Biden said.

“Over the coming days, the United States will make another push with Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and others to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. With the hostages released and the end of the war without Hamas in power, that becomes possible.”

France, US to ensure cease-fire implementation

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the cease-fire would not only end hostilities between Israel and Lebanon but also protect Israel from the threat posed by Hezbollah. The leaders expressed hope that the agreement would create conditions for “lasting calm” in the region.

“The cease-fire will stop the fighting in Lebanon and safeguard Israel from Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanese territory,” the two leaders said.

They also underscored their commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the agreement, with plans to support the “capacity-building” of the Lebanese military and lead international efforts to stabilize the region.

Biden thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his “partnership in reaching this moment.”

‘Permanent cessation of hostilities’

Biden also revealed that under the cease-fire terms, Lebanon’s military and security forces would begin deploying to southern Lebanon over the next 60 days, taking control of the region. Israel, meanwhile, is expected to gradually withdraw its remaining forces during this period.

The deal is a rare boost for Biden as he prepares to leave the White House and hand over to President Donald Trump on January 20. Trump has appointed some key Israel hawks in his cabinet.

Biden said the deal was designed to be a “permanent cessation of hostilities” between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, after more than a year of cross-border fire and two months of all-out war in Lebanon.

Under the agreement, the Lebanese army would take control of the border area on their side and “what is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed… to threaten the security of Israel again,” he said.

Biden said the deal “heralds a new start for Lebanon” but could also lead to wider peace in the tense Middle East.

Washington would also push for a long-hoped-for deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, he said.