Hezbollah declares victory in war with Israel after ceasefire deal comes into force

Following the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, Hezbollah said, "Victory from God Almighty was the ally of the righteous cause.” The group added that its fighters would "remain fully prepared to confront the Israeli enemy's ambitions and attacks."

This was Hezbollah's first statement after the ceasefire's implementation, in which it declared victory over Israel and reaffirmed its commitment to prevent any further Israeli attacks.

The statement raised concerns as it was issued just hours after thousands of Lebanese returned to their homes after fleeing due to Israeli assaults.

Following their declaration of victory, the Lebanese organization pledged to keep a close watch on Israeli forces' retreat from southern Lebanon.

“Our fighters’ eyes will remain fixed on the enemy’s movements and withdrawals beyond the borders, and their hands will stay on the trigger to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty,” the statement read, 17 hours after the ceasefire took effect.

After more than 14 months of conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, which began shortly after Hamas' Oct 7 attack on Israel, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon came into force on Nov 27.

The peace agreement mandates the gradual removal of Israeli forces south of the "Blue Line."

“The entire process must be completed in 60 days,” said an Israeli official.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army will deploy in southern Lebanon during this period, and Hezbollah has been pushed back from the Israel-Lebanon border.

The worst conflict between Israel and Iran in recent times came to an end with the ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States and France.

US President Joe Biden said that the agreement aimed to halt Israeli attacks on Lebanese villages and cities and end the year-long cross-border fighting.

Since Oct 2023, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have claimed nearly 3,800 civilian lives.

Thousands of displaced individuals from southern Lebanon have started returning home since the ceasefire went into effect.

Despite Israeli military warnings to stay away while forces remain in Lebanon, the country’s highways were congested with families transporting their belongings back south.

The Lebanese army, meanwhile, requested that evacuees avoid villages and towns near the UN-drawn "Blue Line" separating the two nations.

Amid these developments, there is concern about how long the truce will hold.

On Nov 26, Israel launched extensive attacks on the capital, Beirut, and southern Lebanon, killing 42 people.

The attacks continued until 4 am local time, when a ceasefire was declared.