TEHRAN BLOG: Iran welcomes Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, calls for truce in Gaza

TEHRAN BLOG: Iran welcomes Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, calls for truce in Gaza
TEHRAN BLOG: Iran welcomes Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, calls for truce in Gaza / bne IntelliNews
By bne Tehran bureau November 27, 2024

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmael Baghaei, welcomed the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and called on the international community to exert effective pressure on Israel to stop its war in Gaza, the ministry’s website reported on November 27.

A ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hezbollah on November 27, which took effect at 4:00 a.m. Beirut time, marking the end of hostilities between the two. As part of the agreement, Israeli troops are expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon, and the Lebanese army will be deployed along the borders with Israel. Hezbollah will also pull back its forces north of the Litani River, ending its military presence in southern Lebanon. An international task force, including French peacekeepers and led by the United States, will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire.

Baghaei criticised what he called Israel’s warmongering and crimes with the comprehensive support of the United States and some European governments, saying it has resulted in the “martyrdom” of 60,000 innocent people, the wounding of 120,000, and the displacement of more than 3.5 million, as well as the extensive destruction of vital infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.Esmaeil Baghaei criticised what he called Israel's warmongering and crimes with the comprehensive support of the United States and some European governments, saying it has resulted in the “martyrdom” of 60,000 innocent people, the wounding of 120,000, and the displacement of more than 3.5mn, as well as the extensive destruction of vital infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

He stressed, however, that the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance is more determined than ever to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian and Lebanese people.

“In light of the temporary orders issued by the International Court of Justice to prevent genocide and the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the world's public opinion, which has called for an end to war and genocide for the past 14 months, today awaits the trial and punishment of the criminals of the occupying regime," he said.

Iran’s ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, congratulated the ceasefire to the Lebanese people, government and resistance, describing it an achievement, despite Hezbollah’s agreement to retreat from Israeli border areas.

"We congratulate Lebanon, its people and its brave resistance on this glorious victory achieved by the loyal children of Lebanon against the Zionist regime," he wrote on X.

He said the ceasefire was the result of effective efforts by Lebanese political and military sectors in “thwarting the aggressive and barbaric plans against this noble country and its great nation."

"The sincere promise of victory made by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah … was fulfilled thanks to the great sacrifices … for the pride and independence of Lebanon and the dignity of its nation," he wrote.

Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut. He had repeatedly claimed that Hezbollah could not be pushed behind Litani river and that the conflict in Lebanon would not stop until the end of the war in Gaza.

Amani was one of the victims of the pager incident and sustained injuries in his eyes and fingers as a result of the pager explosion.

Reza Zabib, Iran’s ambassador in Madrid, also described the ceasefire a victory for Hezbollah, citing Henry Kissinger, a prominent American diplomat and political scientist.Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, has recently stated that Iran's response to Israeli aggression will be "beyond imagination", adding that Israel will face an appropriate and unprecedented retaliatory response for its actions.

Iranian public comments reveal varying perspectives on recent regional developments, particularly regarding media coverage

31-year-old Mehdi said, “Please don't rush to claim 'soft victory' in the corner of our television screens for at least a month,” remarked one commenter, expressing cynicism about state media's portrayal of events.

Another person, 57-year-old Reza in Tehran, gave a detailed critique challenging official narratives: "Iranian television has consistently denied Israeli forces' movements in Lebanese territory, yet Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reports extensive military aircraft activity in southern Lebanon," he said.

Mohammad Mohammadi said, "In faction-based management, loyalty takes precedence over competency. This explains why no one faces dismissal regardless of outcomes." He added, "Hezbollah is finished, too."

Another commenter, identified as Goli, offered: "God's curse upon warmongers and criminal Israel. Blessings to the people of Lebanon."

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