Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire after deadly strikes in Lebanon

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire, a US official said, after intense Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon killed 47 people.

The Israeli military confirmed that a ceasefire was in effect, though a spokesman later said its forces would continue to remove immediate threats. Hezbollah has not confirmed the agreement, but its secretary general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, said the project to eliminate the group had failed.

Rescue officials in Nabatieh told the BBC there had been at least 12 air strikes since the ceasefire began at 16:00 local time. Lebanon's health ministry said the strikes killed 47 people, including women and children, and wounded 97 others. In the Nabatieh district, nine people died in Harouf, seven in Haboush and six in al-Duweir, including a child.

Hezbollah said it ambushed an Israeli group in southern Lebanon, destroying three tanks with guided missiles and targeting troops with rocket and artillery fire. Four Israeli soldiers were killed, including a battalion commander.

The agreement came after concerns that continued clashes would undermine the deal to end the war between the US and Iran. The memorandum of understanding declared a ceasefire in Lebanon as well as between the US and Iran. Tehran has accused Trump of failing to rein in Israel.

Trump has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of senselessly killing civilians in the fight against Hezbollah. Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Lebanon must burn in response to the deaths of the Israeli soldiers.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of wanting permanent war and said any breach of the memorandum would be attributed to the US. Netanyahu faces domestic pressure to continue operations against Hezbollah, while the group has said it will keep fighting as long as Israel occupies southern Lebanon.

Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin said Israel would continue to respond to Hezbollah violations and protect its civilians. Sheikh Naim Qassem said the Israelis would withdraw from every inch of Lebanese land.

Displaced Lebanese people expressed skepticism that Israel would abide by the deal. One man told Reuters the agreement was good but that Israel had broken past commitments.

The US State Department said direct talks between the Lebanese government and Israel would resume in Washington next week to secure lasting peace. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that a comprehensive ceasefire ending Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory was needed for the talks to progress.

Lebanon was drawn into the war shortly after it began, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for a strike that killed Iran's supreme leader. Israel responded with a bombing campaign and occupied about 5% of Lebanon's territory in the south.