After over a year of fighting between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, an agreement has finally been reached to end the conflict. The violence has resulted in the deaths of at least 3,823 people, with over 1.2 million more displaced and economic losses estimated at $8.5 billion. Lebanon’s prime minister has described the conflict as the “cruellest phase” in the country’s history.
The ceasefire is being seen as a glimmer of hope for peace and a chance for people to start rebuilding their lives. However, there are concerns about whether the underfunded Lebanese army will be able to effectively enforce the terms of the deal. Additionally, questions remain about the stability of the situation once Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters withdraw from southern Lebanon over the next 60 days.
Tom McRae hosted a panel discussion on the topic, featuring political commentator Jamal Ghosn, Conflict Resolution Program Director Randa Slim, and Middle East Policy fellow Drew Mikhael. The experts discussed the implications of the agreement and the challenges that lie ahead for Lebanon as they work towards stability and peace.
The agreement marks a significant step towards ending the violence that has plagued the region for over a year. As the region looks towards a more peaceful future, the international community will be keeping a close eye on the situation to ensure that the terms of the ceasefire are upheld and that progress towards lasting peace continues.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
