A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah held steady on Wednesday, signaling a temporary halt to the 14-month-long conflict that devastated border areas and displaced millions. Brokered by the U.S. and France, the agreement marked a rare diplomatic breakthrough in the volatile Middle East. As people began returning to shattered homes, hope mixed with lingering uncertainty.
As Border Residents Return During Ceasefire, Tensions and Challenges Persist
In southern Lebanon, cars loaded with belongings streamed back to villages as residents assessed the damage. Asya Atwi, who returned to the rubble of her home in Zibqin, declared, “The important thing is that we’re back.” Meanwhile, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, residents like Zahi Hijazi surveyed the ruins of their lifetime savings, lamenting the destruction.
On the Israeli side, families cautiously returned to border towns, where the scars of war were visible in leveled homes. Asor Gal’it, arriving in Metula, voiced a mix of hope and trepidation, trusting the military to uphold the truce. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed that border villages remain off-limits to ensure safety, citing ongoing threats from Hezbollah.
The ceasefire’s success hinges on delicate enforcement by the Lebanese army and Israel’s military vigilance. While U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the agreement as a “ray of hope,” both sides remain wary. Israel retains forces in southern Lebanon for 60 days under the terms, while Hezbollah’s fighters maintain readiness, vowing to resist any perceived threats.
As focus shifts to Gaza, where Israel continues its fight against Hamas, the ceasefire underscores the fragility of peace in the region. Diplomatic efforts now aim to extend stability beyond Lebanon’s border, but with Gaza still under siege, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.
