Israel and Lebanon have accepted a US-backed proposal to end the 13-month border conflict that spiraled into an all-out war in September with Hezbollah. From the White House’s Rose Garden, US President Joe Biden said the deal that took effect early Wednesday morning,

President Biden’s announcement Tuesday of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon marked a significant foreign policy achievement weeks before he leaves office. The halt in fighting provides desperately needed calm for Israeli and Lebanese civilians along the border — and a chance to return to abandoned communities — after nearly 14 months

In a newspaper column, the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, close to the border, said he doubted the ceasefire would be enforced, demanding that Israel creates a buffer zone in south Lebanon. In a poll commissioned by the Israeli station Channel 12 News those questioned were roughly split between supporters and opponents of the ceasefire.

Slavin said Hezbollah’s enduring power made a ceasefire in Lebanon an attractive prospect for Israel. What remains of Hamas’ organized forces is unclear, but it was apparent this week that Hezbollah remains intact, if diminished — and that it is still capable of firing missiles at Israel.

The ceasefire deal in effect could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group.

Thousands of people returned to their homes Wednesday in Lebanon, celebrating the first day of the ceasefire between Israel and the terror group Hezbollah.

"I demand that the Israeli enemy abide by the ceasefire deal and withdraw" from Lebanese territory, Najib Mikati said.