Fragile Ceasefire Begins Between Israel and Hezbollah After Intense Conflict

A U.S.- and France-brokered agreement halts 14 months of fighting, but violations and unresolved issues threaten its stability.

A 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect early Wednesday, following over a year of intense conflict that caused thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
The agreement requires Hezbollah to retreat north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the Israeli border, and Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon within the same timeframe.
Israeli military actions continued in the hours leading up to the ceasefire, targeting Hezbollah positions, including a major rocket manufacturing site, and reportedly killing several operatives post-ceasefire due to alleged violations.
Lebanese officials report over 3,760 deaths, 15,700 injuries, and more than a million displaced during the conflict, with Israel claiming to have neutralized 80% of Hezbollah's leadership structure.
Unresolved issues, including the lack of a clear withdrawal timeline and Israel's reserved right to target Hezbollah fighters south of the Litani, raise concerns about the durability of the ceasefire.