A ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah began this morning after both sides accepted a peace deal brokered by the United States.

The agreement, which came into effect at 4am local time (2am GMT) on Wednesday, brought to end the conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that killed thousands since it was ignited by Hamas’ Oct 7 massacre last year.

Missile attacks by both sides were recorded until shortly before the deal came into effect but no major activity has been reported since the truce deadline.

Some celebratory gunshots could be heard in parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs early on Wednesday, as residents whooped and waved Lebanese flags as they drove home into Tyre, the second largest city in south Lebanon.

The Lebanese army said in a statement on Wednesday morning that it is preparing to deploy to southern Lebanon, in accordance with the ceasefire deal.

It also asked residents not to return home until Israeli forces withdraw.

Late last night, Israel issued evacuation orders for parts of Beirut four hours before the ceasefire deadline, striking shortly before the deadline. 

“For your safety and the safety of your family members, refrain from moving to the area. We will inform you when it is safe to return home,” the IDF’s Arabic spokesman Avichay Adraee wrote on X.