Biden declares Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that both goverments of Israel and Lebanon have accepted Washington's proposal to end Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

"Today, I have some good news to report from the Middle East. I just spoke with the Prime Minister of Israel and Lebanon. I'm pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States' proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah," Biden said.

He thanked the French President Emmanuel Macron for his "partnership in reaching this moment."

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified since October 7, when Palestinian Hamas militants launched a large-scale incursion into southern Israel, killing more than 1,170 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel responded with a massive ongoing offensive on Gaza, killing over 43,000 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

"Over the past year, including the days immediately following October 7th, I directed the US military to flow assets and capabilities into the region, including aircraft carriers, fighter squadrons, and sophisticated air defense battery to defend Israel and deter our common enemy at critical moments," Biden added.