WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden said a Lebanon truce would take effect early Wednesday, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would allow Israel to focus its attention on Hamas and arch-enemy Iran.
The ceasefire will begin at 4am local time, Biden said, speaking at the White House after Netanyahu's office said his ministers had approved the deal.
The United States, European Union, United Nations and G7 have all pushed for a halt in the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah after more than a year of violence.
The United States is Israel's key ally and military backer, and Biden hailed the deal as "good news" and a "new start" for Lebanon.
Netanyahu thanked Biden for his "involvement" in brokering the agreement.
Ten ministers voted in favour and one against, the Israeli premier's office said.
Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron said the ceasefire would protect Israel from Hezbollah and create the conditions for a "lasting calm".
The United States and France will ensure the deal is "fully implemented", a joint statement said.
In a televised address ahead of his security cabinet vote, Netanyahu said: "The length of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon."
The announcement followed the heaviest day of raids on Beirut -- including a series of strikes in the city's centre -- since Israel stepped up its air campaign in Lebanon in late September before sending in ground troops.
Hours ahead of the ceasefire taking effect, the Israeli army ordered the evacuation of residents in areas of central Beirut and the southern suburbs of the city.
Hezbollah, which has yet to make an official statement on the truce, said Tuesday evening it launched drones at "sensitive military targets" in Tel Aviv in response to the deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut.
The militant group also claimed responsibility for attacks on northern Israel after the agreement was announced.
The armed group has suffered staggering losses in recent weeks, including the death in an air strike of its leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah did not participate directly in the talks for the truce, with Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri mediating on its behalf.