Ceasefire starts between Israel, Hezbollah to end fighting in Lebanon

By Desmond Nleya
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect at 4am local time in Lebanon (02:00 GMT) amid hopes the truce will bring a permanent end to Israeli attacks on Lebanese towns and cities and more than a year of fighting in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
US President Joe Biden says the deal between Israel and Hezbollah involves Israeli forces withdrawing from Lebanon over 60 days, with Lebanon’s military taking control of territory in the south of the country to ensure Hezbollah does not rebuild forces.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in southern Lebanon Ali Hashem said Lebanese people are watching to see if the ceasefire is “going to hold, or not” and whether the war has truly “come to an end”.
Israeli attacks have killed dozens in Gaza, including 13 people sheltering in a school in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood.
Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 44,249 Palestinians and wounded 104,746 others since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.
In Lebanon, at least 3,823 people have been killed and 15,859 wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began.