Live blog: Lebanon remains quiet as truce with Israel takes into force

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

0200 GMT — A ceasefire in Israel's war on Lebanon came into effect after US President Joe Biden said both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France.

Bursts of gunfire could be heard across Beirut after the ceasefire took effect. It was not immediately clear if the shooting was celebratory, as gunfire had also been used to alert residents who may have missed illegal evacuation warnings issued by Israel's military.

Streams of cars began heading to southern Lebanon, which borders Israel, after the ceasefire early on Wednesday, according to Reuters witnesses.

Hezbollah has not formally commented on the ceasefire but senior official Hassan Fadlallah told Lebanon's Al Jadeed TV that while it supported the extension of the Lebanese state's authority, the group would emerge from the war stronger.

Iran welcomed end of Israeli "aggression" in Lebanon, its Foreign Ministry said.

2222 GMT — US to lead new 'push' for Gaza ceasefire with Türkiye, others

US President Joe Biden has said the United States would lead a fresh effort to secure a truce in Gaza, as he welcomed a ceasefire to end hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.

"Now Hamas has a choice to make. Their only way out is to release the hostages, including American citizens, which they hold, and, in the process, bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief," Biden said on Tuesday.

"Over the coming days, the United States will make another push with Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and others to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. With the hostages released and the end of the war without Hamas in power, that becomes possible."

More updates👇

2310 GMT — Israel targets Beirut port vicinity

Israel has conducted intense air strikes near Beirut International Airport, according to Anadolu Agency, which reported thick smoke rising from the area.

2300 GMT — Hezbollah launches drones at Tel Aviv military targets

"In response to the targeting of the capital Beirut and the massacres committed by the Israeli enemy against civilians," Hezbollah launched "drones at a group of sensitive military targets in the city of Tel Aviv and its suburbs", the group said in a statement.

2200 GMT — Macron seeks Gaza truce

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that a ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and Lebanon should "open the path" for an ending of the war in Gaza.

"This agreement should open the path for a ceasefire too long awaited with regards to the incomparable suffering of the population in Gaza," Macron said in a video message on Tuesday.

He added that it "shows that only political courage can provide everyone in the Middle East long-term peace and stability".

2100 GMT — Lebanese soldier wounded by Israel

A Lebanese soldier was wounded in an Israeli air strike that targeted a military post in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Army.

The army confirmed that "the Israeli enemy targeted an army post in Ebel El Saqi, Marjayoun, injuring a soldier."

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry said it instructed the country's permanent mission to the UN in New York to lodge a formal complaint with the Security Council.

2020 GMT — Israel kills women, children in Gaza

At least seven Palestinians, including several women and children, have been killed, and others wounded in an Israeli air strike that targeted a house in the al-Zaytoun neighbourhood in southern Gaza City.

A medical source told Anadolu that seven bodies were taken to hospitals after the latest attack.

The strike destroyed a house belonging to the Abu Diya family, causing extensive damage to nearby homes, witnesses reported.

They confirmed that several residents of the targeted home were killed, while others sustained varying degrees of wounds, though the exact number of casualties remains unclear.

For our live updates from Tuesday, November 26, 2024, click here.