Israel’s military said the cease-fire in Lebanon had taken effect Wednesday morning, raising hopes of a period of calm after two months of intense aerial bombardments and ground operations.The deal, which was hammered out between Israel and Lebanon by the U.

A ceasefire deal that went into effect on Wednesday could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict.

Nearly two months after Israel invaded Lebanon, a “fragile” ceasefire has been reached between Israel and Lebanon. Under the deal, Israel says it will withdraw troops from Lebanon’s south over a 60-day period,