The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah is a major diplomatic breakthrough that follows 13 months of escalating conflict, upheaval and displacement in Lebanon.

A ceasefire deal that went into effect on Wednesday could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict.

Israel’s military said the cease-fire in Lebanon had taken effect Wednesday morning, raising hopes of a period of calm after two months of intense aerial bombardments and ground operations aimed at silencing months of Hezbollah rocket attacks on Israel.