Lebanese civilians are preparing to move back into their residential areas as the ceasefire agreement took effect on Wednesday, while troops began to withdraw from the region.
After the conflict along the Israeli-Lebanese border, the U.S. and France brokered a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, with the goal of achieving a permanent resolution.
Under the agreement, the Israeli military will withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon over the next 60 days, while the Lebanese army will take control of the area and ensure Hezbollah does not rearm itself.
Shortly after the ceasefire took effect at 0200 GMT, bursts of gunfire echoed across Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. It remains unclear whether the shooting was intended as a celebration or a signal to alert civilians who may have missed the evacuation warnings.
Lebanon’s military has urged civilians to delay their return to the southern border until Israel has fully withdrawn. Despite this, a large convoy of vehicles carrying furniture is heading toward the southern port city of Tyre. Some are waving Lebanese flags, while others display signs of victory.
Some villages within six kilometers of the Lebanese border have been destroyed, but many civilians are returning due to financial pressures that prevent them from continuing renting alternative housing.
Other displaced individuals are hesitant to return, unsure if Israeli forces will fully withdraw. Hussam Arrout, a father of four, said his family would wait until the military announced it was safe to return.
