Israel, Lebanon: Ceasefire deal slated to take effect at 04:00 Nov. 27 after Prime Minister Netanyahu's security cabinet approves agreement Nov. 26 /update 1

Armed exchanges continued across the Israeli-Lebanese border as of late Nov. 26 after the Israeli security cabinet voted to approve a ceasefire deal backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at halting the country's fighting with the Lebanese Hizballah (LH) group. The Lebanese government has also approved the agreement, according to US President Joe Biden. LH officials did not immediately comment on the Israeli security cabinet's approval of the deal. The agreement, brokered by the US and France, is slated to take effect at approximately 04:00 Nov. 27 and stipulates a 60-day truce during which Israeli forces are to gradually withdraw from Lebanon, LH fighters are to move north of the Litani River, and Lebanese military forces and UN peacekeepers are to boost their presence in southern Lebanon to the south of the Litani River. A US-led international body will monitor the parties' compliance with the agreement, which Biden said was "designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities." Netanyahu has vowed to respond to any LH violation of the ceasefire "with force."

The diplomatic developments come amid a surge in strikes across the Israeli-Lebanese border. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly conducted more than 20 airstrikes in Beirut on Nov. 26, including on LH-linked financial institutions, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens of others. The IDF have also carried out strikes along the Lebanese-Syrian border. In total, Israeli strikes killed at least 24 people across the country Nov. 26. Israeli forces will almost certainly carry out additional strikes in Lebanon until around 04:00 Nov. 27, and the casualty count will likely rise over the coming hours. Additionally, the LH has launched hundreds of projectiles toward Israel in recent days, prompting sirens to sound in central and northern Israel, causing damage, and injuring several people.

Heightened security measures will almost certainly remain in place in northern Israel and much of Lebanon over the coming days. Cross-border strikes over the coming hours could lead to additional flight disruptions, including in Lebanon and Israel, or even prompt temporary suspensions of flight operations at some regional airports. Cross-border strikes may also disrupt the functioning of utilities and telecommunications networks in some areas. Authorities in Israel or Lebanon may impose further emergency measures, including movement restrictions or shelter-in-place orders, on short notice.