Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends
Trending Middle East
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes effect and world leaders react
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon took effect today after more than a year of fighting that has killed thousands. The truce began at 4am local time. It's set to halt a war that has also forced tens of thousands of people in Israel and hundreds of thousands in Lebanon to flee their homes. U.S. President Joe Biden announced the deal on Tuesday. "Today I have some good news to report from the Middle East. I just spoke with the Prime Minister of Israel and Lebanon and I'm pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States for both of them and the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah." British Foreign Secretary David Lamy said in a post on X that the announcement of a ceasefire agreement offers hope. EU Foreign Policy Chief Joseph Burrell said it was "a relief" in the devastating situation in the Middle East. And Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mitrati welcomed the U.S. mediated deal in a call with Mr. Biden on Tuesday night. The Israeli military bombed densely populated areas in central Beirut on Tuesday night moments after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had approved a ceasefire deal and that he is taking it to the cabinet. (upbeat music)