A Ceasefire agreement is a form of political settlement that seeks to end armed conflict. It is often the first step in a process of formal negotiations to resolve the underlying causes of a protracted social conflict. It often includes provisions for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), demining and initial security sector reform efforts. It may also include a commitment to end hostile propaganda and incitement.
Despite the best intentions, ceasefire agreements often fail. Multiple factors contribute to this, including a lack of trust between the parties, the perceived inability to adhere to commitments made as a result of a truce and a desire to seize a perceived opportunity to violate them. This is compounded by the fact that non-international armed conflicts are often characterized by intense tribal and ethnic divisions as well as a sense of exclusion, marginalization or injustice felt by a subset of the population.
In the case of Lebanon, the United States has worked alongside regional partners to pressure Hezbollah and Israel to negotiate a ceasefire. This included supporting indirect talks that began in December and a meeting between Israel’s Prime Minister and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in which they agreed on the framework for a two-stage ceasefire.
The first phase of this agreement calls for Hezbollah to halt its operations against Israeli targets in Lebanon. In exchange, Israel will refrain from offensive actions against targets inside Lebanon, though it retains the right to defend itself against attacks that threaten its people and its interests. This stage is expected to last 50 days.
About the Author
