Israel-Hezbollah Lebanon ceasefire deal explained: When will truce start, how long will it last?

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have confirmed a ceasefire deal has been reached to stop fighting in Lebanon. This is what we know.

When will the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire start?

Mr Biden confirmed the ceasefire will begin at 4am Thursday 27 November 2024 local time (1pm AEDT/ 10am AWST).

At that time, “the fighting across the Lebanese-Israeli border will end,” Mr Biden said.

He added this deal is designed to be a “permanent cessation of hostilities”.

How long will the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire last?

Although Mr Biden has spruiked the deal as “permanent”, the deal is understood to be for a minimum of 60-days, ending on Sunday 26th January 2025.

By then, Mr Biden will no longer hold Government, with US President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on Monday 20th January, 2025.

“The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon,” Mr Netanyahu said after the Israeli Security Cabinet agreed to the ceasefire.

Mr Netanyahu’s official X account thanked Mr Biden and the United States for “involvement in achieving the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and for the understanding that Israel maintains freedom of action in enforcing it.”

Who brokered the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal?

The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal was brokered by the United States of America and France.

Mr Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are understood to have been vital in negotiations of the deal.

Will Israel and Hezbollah stick to the ceasefire deal?

Both Israel and Hezbollah have said they welcome the ceasefire deal and expressed their intention to stick to it.

Despite cause for calm, Mr Netanyahu issued a warning in his acknowledgement of the deal, saying ”an agreement can be enforced and we will enforce it”, adding “if Hezbollah violates it, we will attack.”

When did the Israel-Hezbollah conflict start?

Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, triggering the war in the Gaza Strip.

Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since.

In early September, Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment and sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire.

More than 3760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials.

The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes.

Israel says it has killed more than 2000 Hezbollah members.

Hezbollah fire has forced about 50,000 Israelis to flee homes in the country’s north and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv.

At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians.

More than 50 Israeli soldiers died fighting in the ground offensive in Lebanon.

- With Reuters and CNBC