Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire after mediation by Qatar, US and Iran

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire that is scheduled to take effect at 4 p.m. local time on Friday, according to senior officials. The development comes after months of escalating cross-border hostilities that have raised fears of a wider regional conflict and resulted in significant casualties and displacement on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. Mediation efforts lead to breakthroughTwo regional officials and a US official informed about the ceasefire which was brokered through mediation by Qatar, the United States and Iran, AP reported. The renewed truce is seen as an attempt to restore calm along the Israel-Lebanon border and prevent further escalation between the two sides. No immediate response from Israel or HezbollahNeither Israel nor Hezbollah have immediately commented on the reported agreement, AP reported. If it holds, the agreement could provide relief to affected communities and offer an opportunity for broader diplomatic discussions aimed at stabilising the region. Israeli official confirmsConfirming the news, a senior Israeli official said that Israel and Hezbollah were in a ceasefire, as long as Hezbollah does not attack Israel. "Then we are in war time," said the official. The official also said that Israel would keep its forces in southern Lebanon where it has occupied an area along Israel's northern border, as cited by Reuters. Diplomatic mediators have repeatedly called for restraint amid concerns that continued fighting could further destabilise the Middle East. Previous ceasefire understandings between Israel and Hezbollah have faced challenges, with violations often threatening to unravel agreements. If sustained, the latest ceasefire could offer much-needed relief to civilians affected by the conflict and create space for longer-term negotiations.