U.S. President Joe Biden said a Lebanon truce will 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 announced his ministers had approved the deal.
Ten ministers voted in favor 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 to the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah after more than a year of cross-border fire and two months of all-out war in Lebanon.
Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron said the ceasefire will protect Israel from Hezbollah and create the conditions for a "lasting calm."
The United States and France will ensure the deal was "fully implemented," a joint statement said.
https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/309433-biden-says-lebanon-israel-ceasefire-to-begin-at-4-am