A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah held on Wednesday under a deal brokered by the United States and France, allowing people in both countries to begin returning to their homes in border areas devastated by 14 months of fierce fighting.
The agreement, hailed as a rare diplomatic achievement in a region often marred by conflict, ended the deadliest confrontation between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in years. However, Israel continues its military operations against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Streams of cars and vans, laden with mattresses, suitcases, and even furniture, flowed through the heavily bombarded Lebanese port city of Tyre heading south. They carried some of the approximately 1.4 million people believed to have been displaced by the conflict.
In its first statement since the ceasefire was announced, Hezbollah’s operations center did not directly mention the truce but vowed to continue its resistance. The group stated that its fighters “remain fully equipped to deal with the aspirations and assaults of the Israeli enemy” and would monitor Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon “with their hands on the trigger.”
Hezbollah has been weakened by significant casualties and the killing of its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, by Israel. The loss has been a substantial blow to the group’s leadership and morale.
The ceasefire aims to conclude a prolonged conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border, which the Lebanese Health Ministry reports has resulted in at least 3,768 deaths in Lebanon since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire, calling it “the first ray of hope” in months of Middle East turmoil. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also expressed support for the truce, expressing hope that it would be permanent.
In Lebanon, signs of relief and optimism were evident as some vehicles displayed national flags, others sounded their horns, and passengers celebrated. One woman flashed a victory sign with her fingers as people began returning to the homes they had abandoned.
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Israel-Hezbollah truce holds, displaced Lebanese begin to journey home
cgtn.com
