Biden hopes to next achieve a cease-fire in Gaza before his term ends, with an agreement for a Palestinian state and security for Israel
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Hezbollah fighters in Southern Lebanon in 2023, via Tasnim News Service
November 28, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – In a historic accord, on Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of France issued a joint statement announcing that after “weeks of tireless diplomacy,” Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a cease fire that went into effect yesterday.
“The United States and France will work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented and enforced,” the statement continued. Though the U.S. has supported Israel including sending war planes used to bomb Hezbollah targets, U.S. troops will not be sent to the region, the President assured.
The agreement includes assurances that Israel will be secure from threats by Hezbollah, which has been bombing Israel from southern Lebanon, and other terrorist groups. Hezbollah must move its forces north of the Litani River, about 20 miles from the Blue Line marking the Israel-Lebanon border.
Over the next six weeks, stabilization of southern Lebanon is to be provided by the Lebanese army and State Security Forces will deploy 10,000 troops, under international supervision. The agreement also includes withdrawal of Israeli forces, ultimately allowing residents of both Israel and southern Lebanon to return safely to their homes.
But President Biden made clear in a press conference, “This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.”
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Gaza bombing by Israel, WAFA for news agency APA, creative commons via WIkiPalestine
January 15, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Joe Biden today announced, “After many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.”
The deal is slated to halt fighting in Gaza, surge humanitarian aide to Palestinian civilians, and return hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023 attack in Israel, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Gaza bombing by Israel, WAFA for news agency APA, creative commons via WIkiPalestine
January 15, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Joe Biden today announced, “After many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.”
The deal is slated to halt fighting in Gaza, surge humanitarian aide to Palestinian civilians, and return hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023 attack in Israel, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
January 8, 2025 -- As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
U.S.
- Jimmy Carter, Peacemaking President Amid Crises, Is Dead at 100 (New York Times)
- Trump Won't Rule Out Military Action in Greenland, Panama (Time)
- Honduras Threatens US Military Bases Over Trump's Mass Deportations
- US Congress certifies Trump election victory with Harris presiding (Reuters)
- Johnson Ekes Out a Win to Stay Speaker, But Dicey Proceedings Signal Trouble For Trump (Time)
- Treasury says China hacked documents in 'major' cyber incident
- US plans $8bn arms sale to Israel (BBC)
- Trump's Greenland and Panama Canal ambitions face Republican skepticism (The Hill)
WORLD
- Embattled Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau says he will resign after new party leader chosen (CNN)
- Finland detains Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea
- German government condemns New Year's Eve violence after hundreds of arrests
- Ceremonies mark full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Europe's Schengen travel zone (AP)
- Canadian leaders say Trump’s talk about Canada becoming the 51st state isn’t funny anymore (AP)
For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.