Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group have reached a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
A US official told Reuters, and the information was confirmed by a senior Israeli official and two sources in Hezbollah.
According to the agency's interlocutor, the ceasefire came into effect on Friday at 4:00 PM local time.
"If Hezbollah does not attack us, then for us this is not a time of war," an Israeli official said.
He also stressed that Israeli troops would remain in southern Lebanon.
Despite the announced truce, two sources in Lebanese security services told Reuters that Israel carried out about ten airstrikes within the first hour after it took effect. After 5:00 PM, no new attacks were recorded, according to them.
An Israeli military official confirmed the absence of airstrikes after 5:00 PM but denied reports of ten strikes in the first hour of the ceasefire. Meanwhile, a Reuters correspondent observed ongoing airstrikes on Lebanese territory around 4:50 PM.
Later, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported that around 8:00 PM, a drone strike on a road in the south of the country killed two people on a motorcycle. The Israeli military has not yet commented on this information.
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, at least 47 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since midnight. Israel, in turn, reported the deaths of four of its soldiers in southern Lebanon in one of Hezbollah's deadliest attacks since the war began.
Reuters notes that the agreement between the US and Iran provides for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, after an initial de-escalation, clashes intensified again.
Earlier, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah told Reuters that Iran had informed the movement that negotiations with Washington could not continue without a comprehensive ceasefire.
According to a senior US official, the deal was reached with the mediation of the US and Qatar, as well as with the assistance of Iran.
"Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire. We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are in a ceasefire," the US official said.
Reuters notes that Israel did not participate in the negotiations that led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. Israeli authorities have previously criticized the agreements, believing they do not eliminate threats related to Iran's nuclear program.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier promised to "extract a very high price" from Hezbollah after the deaths of four Israeli soldiers.