Israel-Gaza-Lebanon live updates: American hostage's father makes plea to Biden and Trump

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Wednesday morning that Lebanese civilians who fled their homes in the south of the country should not return to their homes until told to do so, despite the start of the ceasefire.

Twenty minutes after the ceasefire came into effect, Adraee said in a post to X that the IDF remains "positioned in its posts in southern Lebanon."

"Do not approach the villages that the IDF has evacuated or IDF soldiers in the area," he wrote. "For your safety and the security of your families, avoid entering the area."

"We will update you when it is safe to return to your homes," Adraee added.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

The ceasefire went into effect at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday morning.

Representatives of Hezbollah still have not said anything on the record about the agreement.

When submitting the deal for approval, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal still relies on the actions of Hezbollah.

"The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon," Netanyahu said in the statement. "We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. We will continue together until victory."

There were reports of strikes in central Beirut minutes after President Joe Biden finished speaking, announcing a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah.

The ceasefire is set to take effect at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday.

-ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will begin at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday under a U.S.-brokered deal, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday.

"Israel did not launch this war. The Lebanese people did not want this either," Biden said in an address Tuesday.

"This has been the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in decades," Biden said.

Biden warned that Israel "retains the right to self-defense" if Hezbollah or anyone else attacks Israel.

Biden also called for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. The U.S. is working with Egypt, Turkey and other partners to attain a ceasefire in Gaza, Biden said.

"The people in Gaza have been through hell," Biden said.