The ceasefire is a major step toward ending nearly 14 months of fighting sparked by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

A cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah brokered by the U.S. and France took effect in Lebanon early Wednesday, raising hopes of ending more than a year of cross-border strikes and a full-scale war that has killed thousands.

Israel will use “forceful” action to prevent any Hezbollah fighters returning to south Lebanon border villages following the ceasefire deal, its defence minister has warned.