The deal carries the risk of putting Israel and Iran closer to a more dangerous direct confrontation.

In a newspaper column, the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, close to the border, said he doubted the ceasefire would be enforced, demanding that Israel creates a buffer zone in south Lebanon. In a poll commissioned by the Israeli station Channel 12 News those questioned were roughly split between supporters and opponents of the ceasefire.

The Lebanese Army said it was deploying forces near the Israeli border as a U.S.-backed truce between Israel and Hezbollah militants began to take effect.