Breakthrough in war in Middle East as Israel and Hezbollah agree ceasefire | BBC News

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire in Lebanon which could bring an end to more than a year of fighting there that has claimed thousands of lives. The office of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his security cabinet had approved the US ceasefire plan.

It’s understood that the initial 60-day ceasefire will see Israeli troops pulling out of Lebanon and Hezbollah fighters withdrawing north of the Litani river, away from the border with Israel. Thousands of troops from the Lebanese Army are expected to be deployed to the area and an international committee will monitor the implementation of the ceasefire.

President Biden said the ceasefire was intended to become “a permanent cessation of hostilities” and a crucial step to achieving wider peace in the Middle East. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the deal was a “fundamental step towards restoring calm and stability in Lebanon and enabling displaced persons to return to their towns and cities”.

The announcement came after some of the heaviest fighting between Israel and Hezbollah for months, with Israeli airstrikes hitting Beirut, Israeli troops moving further into southern Lebanon and Hezbollah firing more rockets into northern Israel.

The deal does not bring an end to the war in Gaza, which began following the 7th October attacks on Israel by Hamas. The Israeli assault on Gaza has claimed more than 40,000 lives according to the Hamas-run administration there.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith, Hugo Bachega, Lucy Williamson and Frank Gardner.

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