Long-displaced residents of southern Lebanon began to return to their homes early on Wednesday morning, following the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.
A temporary halt has now been brought to the hostilities that forced thousands to flee. A wave of relief has been felt across the country, just days after some of the most intense airstrikes and clashes since the conflict began.
Israel has warned it will retaliate if Hezbollah violates the truce, which was officially announced on Tuesday. The ceasefire deal follows UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Thousands of people have now poured into southern Lebanon, disregarding warnings from the Israeli military to avoid areas that had been evacuated during the conflict.
The conflict began in October 2023, following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, which led to escalated tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
In late September 2024, Israel launched a ground invasion of Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions near the border. This operation, named Operation Northern Arrows, resulted in significant military engagements and civilian casualties on both sides.
Here is a look at thousands returning to Lebanon in pictures.
People Celebrate As They Return to Lebanon
Young people celebrate the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon has a population of approximately 5.8 million people. The country has a high urbanization rate, with about 89.4% of the population residing in urban areas, and the median age is 28.6 years, indicating a relatively young population.
People Return Home to Lebanon
With cars piled high with their possessions, Lebanese residents returned to the south today. Approximately 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced due to the conflict.
By October 7, 2024, around 25% of Lebanese territory was under Israeli military displacement orders, which affected a substantial portion of the population.
Families Return Amid Damaged Buildings
A series of cars and motorbikes are pictured driving past a destroyed building in the suburbs of Beirut after the ceasefire took effect.
The Israel-Hezbollah conflict resulted in over 3,000 Lebanese fatalities. The World Bank estimated the damage and losses in Lebanon to be approximately $8.5 billion.
Mikati: 'The Thousand-Mile Road To Reconstruct'
After the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the nation's military will be bolstered to impose the government's control over all areas of the country.
In his televised speech he said, "Today begins the thousand-mile road to reconstruct what was destroyed and to continue to strengthen the role of the legitimate institutions, led by the military, who we place great hopes in to enforce authority on the country."
"Our people have the right to return to their land and towns to live in peace," he added.
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