Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a new cease-fire after a sharp escalation in cross-border fighting threatened to derail diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and raised fears of a broader regional war, U.S. government sources said Friday.
The agreement, brokered by the United States and Qatar, came into effect at 1300 GMT, the sources said.
However, Lebanese security sources reported that Israel launched 12 attacks within the first 45 minutes of the cease-fire, casting doubt on its prospects.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet confirmed the agreement.
The Times of Israel newspaper quoted army spokesman Effie Defrin as saying that Israeli troops have "full freedom of action" to counter any threat despite the cease-fire. There are no restrictions, he added.
