hostilities

Responding to Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire, the Kremlin said it was open to negotiations, but the conditions for a cessation of hostilities had been set by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.

“Yesterday was the most dangerous moment for the cessation of hostilities,” said one seasoned observer in Lebanon.

The UN’s Deputy Regional Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Syria, David Carden, said he was deeply alarmed by the impact of the escalating hostilities on civilians.

The deal was announced on Tuesday evening by Israel, France and the US, with President Joe Biden saying it aimed to be a "permanent cessation of hostilities".

On the Israeli side, the hostilities have killed at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians, authorities say.