Israel’s security cabinet has approved the US-led ceasefire deal to end the fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon after months of bitter clashes.

The cabinet convened to vote on the decision today as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his approval after weeks of back and forth.

The deal aims to achieve a 60-day cessation of hostilities with the Iranian proxy group in Lebanon that could form the basis of a lasting truce. It is expected to take effect from Wednesday, November 27. Hezbollah is yet to comment. 

Netanyahu’s office confirmed late Tuesday that the cabinet had voted 10-1 in favour of the deal, despite mounting opposition on the periphery. 

The prime minister urged that the deal would allow thousands of families to return to their homes after months displaced by the conflict on the northern border.

He stressed that the ceasefire would depend on ‘what happens’ and said that Israel would maintain ‘full’ freedom to act in Lebanon.

Netanyahu added that a truce would allow Israel to ‘focus on the Iranian threat’ and put pressure on Hamas after more than a year of conflict.

He spoke on Tuesday after weeks of discussions over a deal mediated with Hezbollah by the government of Lebanon.

The agreement is understood to be based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the war between Hezbollah in Israel in 2006. In a pre-recorded statement today, Netanyahu gave three ‘main reasons’ for the importance of a ceasefire now.

He said a truce would allow Israel to focus on the looming threat from Iran, which struck Israel with missiles on October 1 and April 13 – the first direct attacks from Iran in Israel’s history.

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