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

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

06:00 GMT — Lebanon remains quiet as truce with Israel takes into force

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.

05:22 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."

04:50 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.

04:23 GMT — Hezbollah launches drones at Tel Aviv military targets

Lebanon's Hezbollah has said it launched drones at "sensitive military targets" in Tel Aviv, after deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut and as news of a ceasefire deal was announced.

"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.

03:40 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".

03:20 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.

02:30 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.