US President Joe Biden said a Lebanon truce would take effect early Wednesday, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would allow Israel to focus its attention on Hamas and arch-enemy Iran.
The ceasefire will begin at 4:00 am local time (0200 GMT), Biden said, speaking at the White House after Netanyahu’s office said his ministers had approved the deal.
Ten ministers voted in favour and one against, the Israeli premier’s office said.
The United States is Israel’s key ally and military backer, and Biden hailed the deal as “good news” and a “new start” for Lebanon.
Netanyahu thanked Biden for his “involvement” in brokering the deal.
The United States, European Union, United Nations and G7 had all pushed for a halt in the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah after more than a year of violence.
Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron said the ceasefire would protect Israel from Hezbollah and create the conditions for a “lasting calm”.
The United States and France will ensure the deal is “fully implemented”, a joint statement said.
In a televised address ahead of his security cabinet vote, Netanyahu said: “The length of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon.”
The announcement followed the heaviest day of raids on Beirut — including a series of strikes in the city’s centre — since Israel stepped up its air campaign in Lebanon in late September before sending in ground troops.
The raids continued after Netanyahu’s address, with the central commercial district of Hamra coming under attack.
Hezbollah, which has yet to make an official statement on the truce, claimed responsibility for attacks on northern Israel after the agreement was announced.
The armed group has suffered staggering losses in recent weeks, including the death in an air strike of its leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah did not participate directly in the talks for the truce, with Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri mediating on its behalf.
