BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 17 (UPI) -- The Israel-Hezbollah war, temporarily halted by a 10-day cease-fire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, opened a diplomatic process that would engage Lebanon in complex and sensitive negotiations to end the conflict, address Hezbollah's weapons and avoid being forced into an imposed peace.
The truce came into effect after midnight Thursday, pausing 46 days of intensive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon and a ground advance in the southern region that have killed more than 2,294 people, injured 7,544 and displaced in excess of 1.2 million since March 2.
Hezbollah, which battled advancing Israeli forces and fired missiles into Israel, lost an unspecified number of fighters, with Israel claiming the toll reached 1,700.
Shortly after, Trump said Washington was close to reaching a deal with Iran, which in turn said the Strait of Hormuz was "completely" open to commercial shipping for the duration of its cease-fire with Washington now that a truce is in place in Lebanon.
The United States, however, said it will maintain its blockade of Iran for the present.
