U.S. and France Play Diplomatic Alarm Clocks, Bibi Hits Snooze on Biden and Keeps Powder Dry till Trump Arrives in January.

In an early morning surprise that couldn’t have been more inconvenient timed if it tried, a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel was agreed upon at 4 a.m. today. So far it’s holding, though it was in danger of collapse when Lebanese rush back south.

The pause in hostilities was mediated by the U.S. and France, with the latter only reluctantly invited to the peace party after promising to keep their arrest warrants for Netanyahu in the drawer, at least for now. But the gun remains loaded. Not the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron, in a joint effort that probably involved more caffeine than standard diplomatic negotiations, managed to convince both sides to hit the pause button on their conflict.

Netanyahu, playing it cool, has chosen this moment to “take the win” and recharge, wisely keeping his military powder dry, perhaps in anticipation of a new era with President-Elect Trump. It’s like he’s decided to save the fireworks for the next big show, the Head of the Octopus, knowing well that patience is a virtue in politics and warfare.

Hezbollah, while agreeing to this ceasefire, did so with the kind of reservation usually seen when agreeing to a family reunion. They’re ready to rearm and dig more tunnels the moment the peace feels too peaceful, ensuring that their version of “keeping the peace” might still involve a few drones buzzing overhead, and boring machines hard at work.

Locals in Lebanon, accustomed to living on the edge, are now flooding back to their homes with the same grim curiosity and caution one might use when checking if a kettle has boiled over. Honey, I was sure I unplugged it! They’re hoping this ceasefire doesn’t go underground to the attack tunnels, quite literally, keeping an ear out for any subterranean surprises.

In this delicate dance of peace, where every step is measured, the world watches, coffee in hand, to see if this ceasefire will stick, or if it’s just another intermission in the ongoing Middle Eastern drama. There are many reserve officers who will be all to happy to hit Snooze. Let’s just hope it doesn’t lead to another wake-up call like we got from Gaza.