Israel-Hezbollah truce takes effect

A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah, brokered by the US and France, came into force at 4 am local time on Wednesday. There were no immediate reports of violations. 

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Avichay Adraee told reporters that Israeli troops would remain in southern Lebanon for the time being. He warned Israelis who fled border towns due to Hezbollah rocket fire that it is not safe to return yet.

The fighting between Hezbollah and the IDF erupted in October 2023, when the pro-Palestinian armed group began firing rockets and mortar shells across the border. Hezbollah said at the time that it would not end the hostilities until Israel stops the war with Hamas in Gaza.

Israel invaded southern Lebanon in early October and stepped up airstrikes on Beirut and other cities, killing several high-ranking Hezbollah members, including the group’s longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

More than 60 people have been killed in Israel by Hezbollah attacks and more than 3,500 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since October 2023, according to officials from both sides. Some 70,000 people in Israel and around 1.2 million people in Lebanon have been displaced.

Announcing the ceasefire on Tuesday, outgoing US President Joe Biden said Israel would “gradually withdraw its remaining forces” from Lebanon within the next 60 days.

“Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon will not be allowed to be rebuilt,” he stated. According to Biden, the truce is intended to be permanent.