Israel and Lebanon have accepted a US-backed proposal to end the 13-month border conflict that spiraled into an all-out war in September with Hezbollah. From the White House’s Rose Garden, US President Joe Biden said the deal that took effect early Wednesday morning,

President Biden’s announcement Tuesday of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon marked a significant foreign policy achievement weeks before he leaves office. The halt in fighting provides desperately needed calm for Israeli and Lebanese civilians along the border — and a chance to return to abandoned communities — after nearly 14 months

In a newspaper column, the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, close to the border, said he doubted the ceasefire would be enforced, demanding that Israel creates a buffer zone in south Lebanon. In a poll commissioned by the Israeli station Channel 12 News those questioned were roughly split between supporters and opponents of the ceasefire.

Slavin said Hezbollah’s enduring power made a ceasefire in Lebanon an attractive prospect for Israel. What remains of Hamas’ organized forces is unclear, but it was apparent this week that Hezbollah remains intact, if diminished — and that it is still capable of firing missiles at Israel.

The ceasefire deal in effect could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group.

"I demand that the Israeli enemy abide by the ceasefire deal and withdraw" from Lebanese territory, Najib Mikati said.