A ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants has taken effect. The deal arranged between the governments of Israel and Lebanon comes after more than a year of clashes. But it is unclear the agreement will be respected.

The ceasefire began 4 a.m., local time, on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden announced it on Tuesday, hailing the efforts of Israel and Lebanon, and saying the United States and France will work with them to make sure it is enforced.

Biden says the Lebanese army and state security forces will take control of their own territory in southern Lebanon over the next 60 days.

They will prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding infrastructure there, as Israeli forces gradually withdraw.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country agreed to the deal to focus on threats from Iran, as well as Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He also said his forces set Hezbollah back decades.

The prime minister said: "We eliminated Hezbollah's top leaders, destroyed most of its missiles. We killed thousands of terrorists. And we demolished their underground terror infrastructure along our border."

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the agreement is a fundamental step toward establishing calm and stability. He added it will lay the groundwork for the return of people who have been displaced by the fighting.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the signed deal shows the way toward political courage, which alone can offer lasting peace and security to everyone in the Middle East.

He said, "This agreement should open the route toward a long-needed ceasefire for the people in Gaza, in the face of their incomparable suffering."

Violence between Israel and Hezbollah began after Hamas launched its October 7 attack from Gaza. The clashes escalated in recent months, with Israeli forces launching what they called a limited ground operation into Lebanon.

About 60,000 Israelis have been displaced, and over 3,800 people in Lebanon have died in the fighting.