Israel-Hezbollah truce holds, displaced Lebanese begin to journey home

Israel has said its military aim in Lebanon was to ensure the safe return of about 60,000 Israelis who fled communities along the northern border when Hezbollah started firing rockets at them in support of Hamas in Gaza in October 2023.
Asor Gal’it, returning after 14 months to the Israeli border town of Metula, said on Wednesday she heard some shots when she arrived home.
“We were a little afraid, but we trust our army and let’s see what happens. Let’s hope for the best,” Gal’it said.
In another Israeli border community, Amichay Biton surveyed the ruins of his parents’ home. “There’s nothing. Total destruction, that’s what there is,” he said.
Lebanon’s army, entrusted with ensuring the ceasefire lasts, said it had begun deploying additional troops south of the Litani River into a region heavily bombarded by Israel. The river meets the sea about 30km north of the Israeli border.
Diplomatic efforts will now turn to shattered Gaza, where Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, which led Oct 7, 2023, attacks on Israeli communities. However, there were no hopes of peace returning any time soon to the Palestinian enclave.
Announcing the ceasefire, US President Joe Biden spoke at the White House on Tuesday shortly after Israel’s security cabinet approved the agreement in a 10-1 vote.
“This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” Biden said. “What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.”
He said his administration was also pushing for an elusive ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the group “appreciates” Lebanon’s right to reach an agreement that protects its people, and hopes for a deal to end the Gaza war.
But many Gaza residents said they felt abandoned.
“We hope that all Arab and Western countries, and all people with merciful hearts and consciences … implement a truce here because we are tired,” said displaced Gazan Malak Abu Laila.