As the truce appeared to largely hold, a deal appeared far away in Gaza, where an Israeli strike killed dozens, according to a rescue group.

The agreement with Lebanon will maintain Israel's freedom of operation there to act in defence to remove threats posed by Hezbollah and enable displaced residents to return safely to their homes in northern Israel, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer told Reuters.

The Israel Defense Forces continued its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza -- particularly in the north of the strip -- and in Lebanon, with Israeli attacks on targets nationwide including in the capital Beirut.