After a night of deadly bombings and attacks, in a new escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire that came into effect at 4:00 PM, according to multiple sources.

At least 21 people were killed and 39 wounded in Israeli strikes since last night in the southern and eastern parts of the country in southern Lebanon, according to a provisional Health Ministry tally. Four Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah, according to Israel.

This new flare-up on the Lebanese war front comes despite the signing of a protocol of agreement between the US and Iran to end the war, which provides for the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon as well.

These are the first losses recorded in the ranks of the Israeli army after the signing of a protocol of agreement between the US and Iran to end the war, which provides for a pause.

A senior US official told Reuters that Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah had agreed to a ceasefire that began at 4pm on Sunday. “Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” the official said, adding that US and Qatari negotiators reached the deal with the help of Iran.

A senior Israeli official also stressed to Reuters that the warring parties are in a ceasefire as long as Hezbollah does not attack Israel.

“In this case we are at war,” the Israeli official said.

He added that Israel will maintain its forces in southern Lebanon, where it has occupied an area along Israel’s northern border.

A Gulf country diplomat confirmed to Agence France-Presse that Israel and the pro-Iranian group had agreed to a ceasefire.

“Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to end hostilities as part of a deal brokered by Qatar, the US and Iran,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Two Hezbollah sources told Reuters that the organization was implementing the ceasefire.

General Assembly

Photos: EPA/WAEL HAMZEH