The United States-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel came into effect as the clock struck 4:00 am local time on Wednesday, after more than a year of fighting that has claimed thousands of lives.
The ceasefire, if it holds, should bring an end to the conflict that has forced the displacement of tens of thousands of Israelis and hundreds of thousands more in Lebanon. Announced by US President Joe Biden, the truce will see an initial 60-day halt to the fighting that Israel will use to gradually withdraw its forces, leaving the Lebanese army to take up positions near the border with Israel to ensure Hezbollah doesn't re-establish a military presence there. Hezbollah, on the other hand, must withdraw north of the Litani River.
Biden insisted that the deal, by its design, would bring about "a permanent cessation of hostilities." An international panel headed by the US will monitor compliance.
