Trump’s team claims credit for ceasefire, Lebanese army responds

WASHINGTON: After a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah finally came to fruition on Wednesday, Trump’s team was quick to take credit.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which was brokered by the Biden administration and France, came into effect at 0200 GMT on Wednesday, leading to scenes of displaced people driving home to southern Lebanon.

While president-elect Donald Trump’s senior national security team were not involved in ceasefire discussions, the Biden administration kept them informed on the details of the negotiations. However, regardless of their lack of involvement, Trump’s pick for National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, apprised the world about the president-elect’s influence in the matter.

“[Trump’s] resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards de-escalation in the Middle East,” wrote Waltz on X, formerly known as Twitter. In tandem with Waltz’ proclamation of Trump’s role in the ceasefire talks, Senator Lindsey Graham didn’t fail to mention the former and future president’s role in the deal as well.

“I appreciate the hard work of the Biden Administration, supported by President Trump, to make this ceasefire a reality,” she stated.

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes effect

LEBANON ARMY AND NETANYAHU RESPOND

Whether or not Trump had any effect on the ceasefire, it will soon be his to manage when he is sworn into office on January 20. It is unclear how Trump will manage the deal, but until he takes office, a UNIFIL peacekeeping force supported by both the US and France would aid Lebanon’s army in responding to any violations of the deal.

The Lebanese army stated that they were ready to “carry out its mission” laid out in United Nations resolution 1701, as they prepared to deploy to the south of the country. Resolution 1701 states that the only military presence on the border with Israel can be the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers.

Additionally, the army advised residents of border villages to delay their return until the Israeli army withdraws, and also warned citizens of “un-exploded ordnance and suspicious objects left behind.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the ceasefire as well, stating that any violations by Hezbollah would be met with force.

Iran stated that they welcomed the ceasefire, which former National Security Council official, Richard Goldberg, found to be a sign of the country reacting to Trump’s return.

“There’s zero doubt that Iran is pulling back to regroup ahead of Trump coming into office,” Godlberg said, adding that “it’s a combination of Israeli military success and Trump’s election — the ayatollah has no clothes and he knows we know.”

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HOUTHIS REACTION

A spokesperson for the Houthi fighters praised Hezbollah, claiming that their resistance pushed the Israeli military to accepting a ceasefire deal.

Al Jazeera quoted him saying that Hezbollah “has excelled in its jihadist operations, which have escalated in quantity and quality until it forced the Zionist enemy and its American sponsor to move towards a ceasefire agreement, in a way that preserves the security, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon.”

WHAT ABOUT GAZA?

After the ceasefire came into effect, Yair Golan, the leader of the Israeli opposition questioned why a similar deal had not been struck for the war in Gaza. “If it is possible to reach an agreement with Hezbollah, why can’t we reach an agreement with Hamas and free the hostages?” he stated.

He rebuked Netanyahu, stating that he perpetuates the fighting in Gaza because he is “politically dependent on a fanatical and messianic group that wants to win the war.”

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