A cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah brokered by the U.S. and France took effect in Lebanon early Wednesday, raising hopes of ending more than a year of cross-border strikes and a full-scale war that has killed thousands.

The agreement halts fighting between Israel and Hezbollah for 60 days, as negotiators aim to stop Lebanon’s deadliest war in decades.

For many across the Middle East, the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire came as a relief: the first major sign of progress in the region since war began more than a year ago

Israel launched an offensive in Lebanon in mid-September following months of tit-for-tat border attacks sparked by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

The deal to halt Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a victory for negotiators after weeks of intense talks, went into effect Wednesday morning.

Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have agreed on a cease-fire to end nearly 14 months of devastating fighting between the two bitter enemies, President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday. Speaking from the White House,

A ceasefire proposal agreed to by Lebanon and Israel stipulates that only "official military and security forces" in Lebanon are authorised to carry arms in the country, according to a copy of the deal dated on Tuesday and seen by Reuters on Wednesday.