The United States has given Israel a message of assurance that Israel may strike Hezbollah in Lebanon if it deems the group violating a ceasefire that went into effect early Wednesday morning.

Under the agreement, Hezbollah has 60 days to withdraw its heavy weapons north of the Litani River, and Israel must withdraw from southern Lebanon during that time period as the Lebanese army sends more troops to the area to monitor the ceasefire.

A senior US official told Middle East Eye that the US message to Israel stressed that it could strike Hezbollah if the group reconstituted itself in southern Lebanon, imported weapons, or if Israel said Hezbollah was positioning itself in a way that Israel viewed as a threat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed he had reached an understanding with the United States that Israel would maintain "complete military freedom of action" in southern Lebanon.

“If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to arm itself, we will attack. If it tries to renew terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If it fires a rocket, if it digs a tunnel, if it brings a truck loaded with rockets, we will attack it,” Netanyahu said.

Two US officials, in comments to Axios, disputed Netanyahu's portrayal of the guarantees, but also stressed that the United States is giving Israel a lot of leeway.

“While the deal gives Israel freedom of action to respond to threats from southern Lebanon, such as preparations for a missile attack or the construction of Hezbollah positions near the border, Israel will only be able to respond to less urgent threats — such as Hezbollah rebuilding military infrastructure north of the Litani River — after consulting with the United States, and if the Lebanese military does not deal with the threat on its own,” the Axios report says.

The US guarantees appear to mean that the stability of the ceasefire depends largely on Netanyahu’s perspective. The Middle East Eye website noted that it is unclear whether the presence of members of Hezbollah’s military wing living in southern Lebanon would be sufficient justification for Israel to launch a strike. It is estimated that around 35,000 Hezbollah fighters live in the area.