Middle East crisis live: UN chief calls for Israel-Lebanon ceasefire to be ‘fully’ respected as it comes into effect

Key Points:

• A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, brokered by Donald Trump, took effect, pausing fighting that has killed over 2,100 Lebanese and displaced more than 2.1 million people; both Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Lebanese President Aoun welcomed the agreement.
• Netanyahu called the ceasefire a historic opportunity but refused to withdraw Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, citing security concerns and the threat of invasion, while Hezbollah warned it would respond if Israel violated the truce.
• The UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Iran’s foreign ministry welcomed the ceasefire, urging all parties to respect it and hoping it would lead to negotiations, though intermittent shelling and violations were reported shortly after it began.
• Diplomatic efforts continue with a high-level forum in Turkey involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt aiming to end the Iran war, and a meeting chaired by the UK and France involving about 40 countries to discuss restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Despite ceasefire hopes, tensions remain high as displaced Lebanese residents return home against military warnings, and global markets react cautiously with oil prices below $100 a barrel and Asian stocks poised for gains amid hopes for a near-term resolution.