Israel's Netanyahu, defense minister order military to cease fire in Lebanon -- media

JERUSALEM -- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have ordered the military to cease fire in Lebanon, Israel's Channel 12 News reported Saturday.

However, the forces did not withdraw from the territories they hold in southern Lebanon, it reported.

It reported that according to the order, which was made in coordination with the United States, the Israeli military will continue to hold the "Security Zone" in southern Lebanon, and if Hezbollah respects the ceasefire and does not carry out attacks or violations, the military will also stop offensive activity.

Earlier in the day, Lebanon's National News Agency reported that at least five people were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks across southern Lebanon overnight and early Saturday, whereas the Israeli military said in a statement that Hezbollah launched over 50 projectiles toward its soldiers in southern Lebanon throughout the night.

Later, Iran's main military command Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing US "breach" of the newly-signed peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) and Israel's ceasefire "violations" in southern Lebanon, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

The developments came despite a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel that took effect on Friday afternoon. The truce followed the signing of the MoU between the United States and Iran aiming to end conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon.