The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah gives the entire region a glimpse of hope. Hundreds of thousands of women, children and families in Lebanon can now look to a life without displacement or fear of bombardment. At the same time, the ceasefire gives relief to tens of thousands of people from northern Israel who for more than a year have been subjected to Hezbollah rocket attacks and want nothing more than to return to their homes. On both sides of the border, people expect to be able to live their lives in genuine and lasting security.

The ceasefire is a success for diplomacy. I especially want to thank our American and French friends for this great collaborative achievement and their tireless mediation efforts, which the German Government supported through intensive shuttle diplomacy.

Hezbollah’s terrorists have drawn all people in Lebanon into this war. They triggered a war that makes the divide between the people of Israel and Lebanon appear almost unbridgeable. We must therefore concentrate all of our efforts on ensuring that all parties now swiftly take the steps they have agreed to. Full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, with the assistance of UNIFIL, remains key for reaching a permanent solution to the conflict. We support the Lebanese army, which now has the task of assuming full control of the region south of the Litani River and making sure the situation along the border is stabilised. We continue to support the Lebanese to whom in recent months we have provided humanitarian assistance in the form of emergency shelter and medical care. The people of Lebanon must have the necessary strength to overcome their country’s political and economic stagnation. This includes those with political responsibility finally clearing the way for the election of a President and breaking through the stalemate in Parliament.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah shows what can be achieved through diplomacy. We now urgently need a ceasefire in Gaza, as well, so that all other hostages, including the German ones, can finally be released, and in order to finally put an end to the suffering and hunger of hundreds of thousands of women, children and men.