Israel has approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
Israel's security cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late on Tuesday, local time, after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The ceasefire agreement will take effect at 4am local time, (1pm AEDT) today.
Mr Netanyahu's office said US President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement "good news" and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr Biden announced details of the ceasefire deal in Washington, saying it was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.
The Lebanese army would take control of its territory again and Hezbollah's infrastructure in southern Lebanon would not be allowed to be rebuilt, he said.
Over the next 60 days, Israel would gradually withdraw its remaining forces, Mr Biden said, and civilians on both sides would soon be able to safely return to their communities.
But he said Israel retained the right to self-defence if the deal was broken.
Mr Netanyahuearlier said the ceasefire would last as long as Hezbollah allowed it to.
He promised to return to fighting if Hezbollah threatened Israel.
Before the announcement, it was reported the ceasefire would initially run for 60 days and involve a withdrawal of Israeli and Hezbollah forces from southern Lebanon.
In the hours leading up to the development, Israel launched heavy air strikes across Lebanon, including on the capital Beirut.
Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets in response, triggering Israel's air defence systems and warning sirens to sound across the north of the country.
In a televised address, Mr Netanyahu said a Lebanon truce would allow Israel to "focus on [the] Iranian threat" and its operations in Gaza.
He also warned Hezbollah that Israeli forces would respond to any acts of aggression by the terror group.
"In full coordination with the United States, we retain complete military freedom of action," he said.
"Should Hezbollah violate the agreement or attempt to rearm, we will strike decisively.
Conflict between Israel and the Iranian-backed group began the day after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel last year, and escalated in September.
ABC/wires
