Cautious Hope As Ceasefire Begins

A fragile, UN-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah fighters began today after a month of conflict which has killed more than 1,000 people.

The ceasefire came into effect at the UN's deadline of 0500 GMT (0600 BST), and followed a day of intensified fighting in southern Lebanon yesterday as both sides fought for ground to hold until an international force takes over.

In southern Beirut, the air strikes continued until just 15 minutes before the truce, with warplanes destroying an antenna for Hizbullah's Al-Manar television station.

Earlier this morning, Israeli warplanes struck a Hizbullah stronghold in eastern Lebanon and a Palestinian refugee near the port city of Sidon, killing two people.

Israeli aircraft also dropped leaflets on central Beirut, warning that the country will retaliate against any attack launched on it from Lebanon.

Then, half an hour after the deadline, reporters said the Israeli warplanes had disappeared from the Lebanese skies, where they have been a regular sight for weeks. Traffic appeared busier in Beirut and other cities than in previous days

However, in southern Lebanon, few people ventured out of their homes, unsure that the ceasefire would hold.

Some Israeli forces were pulling out of southern Lebanon early today, but were being replaced by fresh troops. One army official said "there is no withdrawal" from positions seized in the last few days.

The Israeli army said in a statement that the military was told not to initiate any action after the UN deadline but "the forces will do everything to prevent being hit".

The military also maintains its air and sea blockade of Lebanon to prevent arms from reaching Hizbullah guerrillas, army officials said.

Israeli artillery had pounded targets across the border through the night and at least 23 Lebanese civilians and five Israeli soldiers died in yesterday's hostilities.

Hizbullah yesterday fired more than 250 rockets on northern Israel, the highest amount since the fighting started, killing one man, wounding 53 people and igniting huge fires in the port city of Haifa.

This morning, Isaac Herzog, a senior minister in the Israeli cabinet, said it was unlikely all fighting would be silenced immediately. "Experience teaches us that after that a process begins of phased relaxation [in the fighting]," he said.

Israel's vice prime minister, Shimon Peres, said Israel was uncertain the truce would hold. "I believe that it has a chance. I can't say for certain," he said moments before it went into force.

Israel's cabinet accepted the ceasefire deal yesterday and the Lebanese cabinet accepted it a day earlier.

However, the Lebanese cabinet prompted fears the deal was unravelling yesterday when it indefinitely postponed a crucial meeting dealing with plans to send its army into Hizbullah's stronghold in south Lebanon.

Lebanese media reported that the cabinet was sharply divided over demands for Hizbullah to surrender its weapons in south Lebanon.

A UN force that now has 2,000 troops in south Lebanon is due to be boosted to 15,000 soldiers. Together with a 15,000-man Lebanese army contingent, it is gradually to take control of the contested border area.

The deployment of the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers was a cornerstone of the ceasefire resolution passed in New York on Friday by the UN Security Council. The forces are supposed to keep Hizbullah fighters out of an 18-mile zone between the border and Lebanon's Litani River.

France and Italy, along with Turkey and Malaysia, indicated a willingness Saturday to contribute troops to the peacekeeping force.

But consultations are still needed to decide the force's makeup and mandate, and it is uncertain when it will reach full force.

Lebanon said nearly 791 people were killed since the fighting conflict broke out on July 12; the Lebanese government has previously given higher figures for fatalities.

Israel said 116 soldiers and 39 civilians have been killed in fighting or from Hizbullah rockets.