An Israeli military official confirmed on Saturday that the army had received orders from the political leadership to halt fighting in southern Lebanon, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters continued despite a ceasefire announced on Friday.
The official told Agence France-Presse: "The Israeli army has received updated directives from the political level to cease fire."
He added that Israeli forces were "not carrying out pre-emptive strikes" but were operating "defensively within the security zone" in southern Lebanon.