France, April 17 -- The ceasefire agreed between Israel and militant group Hezbollah took effect at midnight local time, after almost seven weeks of war.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed "to advance" peace efforts with Lebanon, but said Israeli troops would not withdraw.

The ceasefire appeared to be holding across most of Lebanon early Friday, but within hours, the Lebanese army accused Israel of "a number of violations" in the south of the country.

Macron on Friday said he fully supported the ceasefire, brokered by the United States and announced by President Donald Trump, but was concerned that it "may already be undermined by ongoing military operations".

"I call for the safety of civilians on bot...