Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday welcomed the United States-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon, emphasizing the need to prevent further escalation in the region.

In an official statement, the ministry expressed hope that the agreement would bring an end to the violence and destruction impacting Lebanon. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, expressing hope that this agreement will help put an end to the violence, destruction, and suffering endured by the Lebanese people,” the statement read.

Reaffirming Iraq’s support for Lebanon, the ministry underscored the importance of intensified international efforts to ensure peace and stability. “We stress the importance of intensifying international efforts to prevent further escalation and ensure a dignified life for the Lebanese people,” the statement added.

The ceasefire announcement came after U.S. President Joe Biden revealed that both Israel and Lebanon had accepted Washington’s proposal to halt hostilities. "Today, I have some good news to report from the Middle East. I just spoke with the Prime Minister of Israel and Lebanon. I'm pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States' proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah," Biden said on Tuesday.

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated following the October 7 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants in southern Israel, which left over 1,170 Israelis dead, according to Israeli officials. In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale offensive on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 43,000 people, as reported by the Palestinian health ministry.

In addition to its remarks on the ceasefire, the Iraqi foreign ministry urged the international community to take immediate steps to address the ongoing violence in Gaza. “The Ministry calls on the international community to take serious and urgent steps to halt the ongoing massacres and attacks against the Palestinian people in Gaza and to work toward ending the humanitarian suffering that has worsened due to the continuous military escalation,” the statement concluded.

Iraq’s stance highlights its commitment to regional peace and the protection of civilian lives amid intensifying conflicts across the Middle East.