SCHNEIDER STATEMENT ON ISRAEL - LEBANON CEASEFIRE

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement in response to the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon:

“Today’s announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon is welcome news and a positive step towards bringing security and calm to a region that has long faced far too much violence and instability. 

“Immediately following the barbaric Hamas attack on October 7 of last year, Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles, and mortars into northern Israel. More than 60,000 Israeli civilians were evacuated from their homes, while tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians were forced to flee due to Israel’s response to Hezbollah’s attacks. For more than a year, the people of northern Israel and southern Lebanon have lived under the shadow of escalating tensions, with Hezbollah’s aggression threatening not only the lives of innocent civilians but also the fragile stability of the broader region.

“I commend President Biden and his administration, particularly Deputy Assistant to the President Amos Hochstein, for their tireless efforts to facilitate this ceasefire and their commitment to addressing the challenges facing the region. Their leadership has been instrumental in bringing the parties to this critical juncture.

“The anticipated implementation of this ceasefire at 4:00 AM local time is only a first step toward de-escalation. The ultimate goal must be the opening of a path to a diplomatic resolution that can free Lebanon from the grip of Hezbollah and the influence of Iran and bring sustained peace to the border between Lebanon and Israel. Hezbollah’s fighting capability and terror infrastructure must be dismantled and completely removed from the border region to allow the citizens on both sides of the border to confidently return to their homes and live in peace.

“This moment also underscores the need for sustained U.S. leadership in the region. The U.S. must commit to do all within its power to help the Lebanese government ensure Hezbollah and all other armed groups are not able to rebuild and rearm to attack Israel. At the same time, the U.S. must ensure Israel retains the capacity and the authority to take all necessary steps if Hezbollah or other groups violate the terms of the agreement, including the unauthorized deployment of people or weapons in Lebanon.

“Furthermore, we must now redouble our efforts to work with allies and partners to prevent future violence, address the humanitarian and economic crises plaguing Lebanon, and lay the groundwork for long-term stability and peace. Peace is not merely the absence of war: it requires commitment, courage, and accountability. I commend Israel for its targeted response in defending its citizens, and I urge all parties to honor the terms of the ceasefire and avoid actions that risk further escalation. The international community, including the U.S. must remain steadfast in holding those who violate international norms accountable and supporting efforts to build a secure and prosperous Middle East that can break free from the gravity of history and decades of violence.”

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