IDF officers in southern Lebanon claim they were not informed of ceasefire deal - N12

IDF officers stationed in southern Lebanon said they were not informed about the ceasefire and only found out via foreign media reports and Telegram posts, according to an N12 report on Friday.

"We were not updated regarding the cessation of hostilities," said one of the officers. "These are the most dangerous hours for us. We are trying to keep the soldiers alert and on standby, and this is no simple task."

"We still have many tasks and work here that we were supposed to complete," added the officer.

According to N12, the IDF's position is that the military will continue to hold captured Lebanese territory, with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir approving operational plans to deepen Lebanon operations if needed. 

Five IDF divisions are operating in southern Lebanon and are currently awaiting orders on how to proceed amid the ceasefire, N12 reported.

Earlier on Friday, the IDF announced that it had taken control of a key ridge in southern Lebanon on Thursday night, minutes before the ceasefire came into effect.

Soldiers from an elite unit parachuted onto the "Christophani Ridge" to maintain an operational presence in the area before the halt in fighting, the military said.

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday and began at midnight (Israel time) on the night between Thursday and Friday.

“Both sides want to see peace, and I believe that will happen, quickly!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the ceasefire as "an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon."

"We have changed the balance of security," said Netanyahu, adding that Israel will maintain a security buffer, stretching 10 kilometers into southern Lebanon, for the duration of the ceasefire in order to deter the threat posed by Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.