A ceasefire has come into effect between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon after a deal was agreed to end 13 months of fighting. In October 2023, Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza and Israel launched retaliatory air strikes in Lebanon.

While the ceasefire largely held on Wednesday morning, Israel said it identified Hezbollah operatives returning to areas near the border and had opened fire to prevent them from coming closer.

Biden said the agreement is meant to be a “permanent” ceasefire, as the administration tries to ensure the end to the cycle of violence between Israel and Hezbollah. The two last went to war in 2006, and the month-long conflict ended with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.