Ceasefire Surveillance Committee

views updated

CEASEFIRE SURVEILLANCE COMMITTEE

Organization created on 26 April 1996, following the Israeli military intervention in South Lebanon (Operation "Grapes of Wrath") against Hizbullah, which, according to Human Rights Watch, killed 154 people and wounded 351. The Ceasefire Surveillance Committee was made up of representatives of the United States, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and France and was responsible for overseeing the agreement that ended the fighting, which required the belligerents to refrain from firing on civilians on both sides of the border and from launching operations from zones populated by civilians. On 11 February 2000, Israel withdrew from the committee, leading to its de facto suspension.

SEE ALSO Hizbullah;South Lebanon.