UK welcomes 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, urges parties to 'seize this opportunity'

The British foreign secretary on Friday "strongly" welcomed the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, urging all parties to seize this opportunity to open a pathway to a lasting peace.

In a statement, Yvette Cooper said that over the last six weeks, the people of Lebanon have been dragged into a conflict they did not want.

"This ceasefire offers desperately needed hope to civilians in both countries - for people to return to their homes, and for those who have suffered the most in this war to be allowed to start rebuilding their lives," she noted.

Cooper urged both Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah to respect the ceasefire. "This must be the moment to open a pathway to a lasting peace. We urge all the parties to seize this opportunity."

She underlined that the UK will continue to play its "full part to support" those in need and to help ensure this ceasefire becomes an enduring peace.

At least 2,196 people have been killed and 7,185 wounded during 45 days of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, with over 1 million displaced, according to official figures.

Israel launched a war on Lebanon in October 2023, and a ceasefire was declared in November the following year, but Israel continued to violate it daily before expanding its offensive on March 2.

Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the previous war between October 2023 and November 2024.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire starting at midnight local time in Beirut and Tel Aviv (2100GMT).

The announcement followed Tuesday's US-mediated talks between Lebanese and Israeli delegations at the State Department in Washington, DC.