WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Wednesday released the following statement on the Israeli and Lebanese governments’ approval of a ceasefire agreement.

“Ending the hostilities between Israel and Lebanon is an important and necessary step toward de-escalating tensions in the Middle East and putting the region back on a path to stability. This agreement will cease the fighting in Lebanon, allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon. The U.S. and France must continue working with our partners in both Israel and Lebanon to ensure the agreement is implemented, the Lebanese Armed Forces are supported, and peace is restored on both sides of the border. Today’s announcement is a diplomatic breakthrough, and the U.S. must capitalize on this moment and push for a permanent ceasefire to end the war in Gaza.”

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