The question is whether the cease-fire in Lebanon that Biden announced Tuesday will be the coda to his diplomatic efforts in the Middle East or a steppingstone to agreements that could at last end the devastating war in the Gaza Strip and potentially even set the stage for a broader regional transformation.

A ceasefire brokered by the Biden administration has been reached between Israel and Hezbollah, potentially bringing lasting peace to the region as the war in Gaza continues.

Traffic jams line the route between Beirut and the south after the ceasefire began at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT).