Quotes
The important thing is that we’re back, against Israel’s will and against the will of all the enemies,
she said
We were a little afraid, but we trust our army and let's see what happens. Let's hope for the best,
Gal'it saidWe hope that all Arab and Western countries, and all people with merciful hearts and consciences ... implement a truce here because we are tired,
said displaced Gazan Malak Abu LailaHezbollah operatives who approach our troops, the border area, and the villages within the area we have marked will be struck ... we are preparing, getting ready for the possibility that this (ceasefire) approach won't succeed,
he saidOnce they let us return to our village, we will go there, but now we’re going to another village [in] Debeen, where my brother who was fighting for the resistance was killed.”
Shams Fakih, a resident from Kfar Kila in southern Lebanon, told Al Jazeera
It is essential that those who signed the ceasefire commitment respect it in full,
he said in a televised statement during a visit to Lisbon,I received an auspicious sign yesterday, the first ray of hope for peace amid the darkness of the past months, ... It is a moment of great importance, especially for civilians who were paying an enormous price of this spreading conflict.”
he said, addingThe Israelis haven’t withdrawn in full. They’re still on the edge. So we decided to wait until the army announces that we can go in. Then we’ll turn the cars on immediately and go to the village,
he saidOur forces will remain fully ready to address the Israeli enemy's ambitions and aggressions,
the statement read 17 hours after the deal took effect
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 addedThey control us and we can’t do anything about it. This war killed whoever it killed and now they’re telling us it’s a victory,
said a young man who was returning from neighboring Syria after being displaced from the eastern Bekaa province
We will respond forcefully to any violation with the US' full understanding,
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said
We feel this is a missed opportunity to tie in the hostages in this agreement that was signed today,
said Ruby Chen, whose son, Itay Chen, was taken hostage from an Israeli military base and has been declared dead
The length of the cease-fire will depend on what happens in Lebanon,
Netanyahu said
Let me be clear, if Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal and poses a direct threat to Israel, then Israel retains the right to self-defense consistent with international law, just like any country, in facing a terrorist group pledged to that country's destruction."
But Biden, speaking at the White House, warned
It is a new day, on which the page is turned on one of the harshest periods of suffering that the Lebanese have lived through in their modern history.”
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a televised addressEverything we were shown testifies to the fact that the next round is ahead of us, whether in a month, two months or 10 years,
he said
The question is how committed the US-led effort will be to police the agreement, to remain steadfast in its own role to ensure enforcement."
However, Ozcelik continued
This is now when the hard work begins to ensure that violations are not committed by either party,
she saidThe challenge would be, for the Americans, is if Hezbollah is not implementing the agreement,
he said