“Iraq played a pivotal role in coordination between countries and was key to reaching the results of the ceasefire,” government spokesperson Basem al-Awadi told state media. “Our assistance to Gaza and Lebanon will continue until stability is achieved.”
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced that both Israel and Lebanon have accepted Washington’s proposal for a ceasefire after the war in Lebanon intensified following nearly a year of tit-for-tat cross-border attacks by the Israeli military and Hezbollah.
The exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah killed over 3,000 people since the conflict began, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
“The ceasefire in Lebanon is an important step that has kept us away from a comprehensive war,” Awadi said, adding that Baghdad will aid the reconstruction of both Lebanon and Gaza.
As the ceasefire took place, the Lebanese army began moving south toward the border to take up positions previously occupied by Hezbollah. The Israeli army will withdraw from southern Lebanon over the course of the next two months, according to the agreement.
On Wednesday, Iraq’s foreign ministry welcomed the ceasefire deal and urged for greater efforts to prevent a bigger war while calling for “serious and urgent” steps to also end the war in Gaza.
Palestinian Hamas militants on October 7 of last year launched a large-scale incursion into southern Israel, killing more than 1,170 people, according to Israeli figures. The attack prompted a massive military response into Gaza from the Israeli army, killing over 43,000 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
