Declared a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah Lamya Kaddordeputy member of the Foreign Affairs Committee:
The fact that the guns in Lebanon and northern Israel are finally silent shows what diplomacy and international cooperation can achieve. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock supported our partners France and the USA through her shuttle diplomacy.
The ceasefire is an important step. But it can only be the starting point for a deeper commitment to peace in Lebanon. This means, first and foremost, further strengthening both UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces so that they can fulfill their mandate in accordance with UNSC Resolution 1701. International support is needed for reconstruction so that the displaced Lebanese and Israeli populations can quickly return to their homeland.
But it also means expanding international commitment to a vibrant civil society and democratic institutions in Lebanon. It is also urgently necessary for a president to be elected and the blockade of parliament to be lifted. Only a resilient state with a functioning political system and a self-confident society will be able to disarm Hezbollah in the long term.
This ceasefire must now be an impetus to end the violence in Gaza, to release the hostages and to provide the civilian population with the urgently needed humanitarian aid.
