UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ten-day ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon, describing it as a positive step toward regional stability.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing foreign media outlets, that the UN chief expressed his support for the diplomatic breakthrough via a statement on the X social media platform.
Guterres extended his gratitude to the United States for its mediation efforts in securing the truce. "I hope this will pave the way for negotiations on a long-term resolution of the conflict and contribute to future efforts to achieve a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region," he stated. The Secretary-General further urged all parties to strictly adhere to the ceasefire terms and maintain respect for international law at all times.
The ten-day ceasefire officially came into effect at midnight. US President Donald Trump announced the successful brokering of the agreement, which aims to provide a humanitarian window and a pause in the escalating violence. According to reports, Israel has conducted extensive operations in Lebanon over the past month and a half targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. These military actions have reportedly resulted in approximately 2,200 fatalities.
The situation remains complex as Israel continues its ground operations in southern Lebanon. According to the Associated Press, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that certain security measures would persist during the ceasefire period. Conversely, Hezbollah has asserted that any continued presence of Israeli forces grants Lebanon the right to maintain its resistance. This ceasefire is viewed by the international community as a critical opportunity to de-escalate tensions that have threatened to draw the wider Middle East into a broader confrontation.
