Temporary Israel-Lebanon ceasefire takes effect

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and urged “all actors” to respect the truth, according to his spokesman.

“The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and appreciates the role of the United States in facilitating it,” Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement.

“Guterres urges all parties to fully respect the ceasefire and at all times comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law,” Dujarric said.

This statement may extend beyond Israel and Lebanon to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Trump announces ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon

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According to the Reuters news agency report, the Israeli army said that its troops are still deployed in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire. The army also urged Lebanese residents not to go south of the Litani River.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had agreed to the ceasefire to “advance” peace efforts with Lebanon.

However, he said that Israeli troops would not retreat.

Israeli forces along the border are engaged in fierce fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants as Israeli troops advance into southern Lebanon to establish a “security zone”, according to officials. In his video address, Netanyahu said the zone would extend 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Lebanon.

“We are right here and we are not leaving,” he said.

The Lebanese government is not actively involved in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. However, he is calling for a de-escalation of tensions and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.

The shooting broke out in Beirut’s southern suburbs after the ceasefire with Israel came into force at midnight on Friday, local time (21:00 UTC/GMT Thursday), according to AFP journalists and AFPTV footage.

Lebanese state media also reported “heavy shelling” at the start of a 10-day ceasefire announced earlier by US President Donald Trump.

Shortly after midnight, AFP journalists heard gunfire and RPGs being fired into the air, which continued for more than half an hour as trails of red bullets flew into the sky.

Displaced families began moving toward southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, despite warnings from authorities not to return to their homes until the ceasefire was confirmed.

As the world watches whether the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday will hold, DW began its coverage of the situation in the Middle East on Friday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire with Lebanon provided an opportunity for a “historic peace agreement” with Beirut.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the ceasefire, calling it part of a two-week ceasefire agreement reached earlier between Tehran and the US.

Stay tuned for more news and analysis.