Middle East crisis live: Israel to continue ground operation in southern Lebanon despite agreed ceasefire

The country’s defence minister said the IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon and will not allow the ‘return of the population’

• Israel and Lebanon agree to renew ceasefire as Trump seeks to overcome barriers to Iran deal

Israel Katz said the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon was a “great achievement in Lebanon, on the ground and also on the diplomatic level”.

“We promised security to the residents of the north and we delivered,” the Israeli defence minister said in a statement, according to the Times of Israel.