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Rabat – Thousands of displaced Lebanese families are returning to their homes in the south, as well as other parts of the country, after the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday.
Streets once empty are now filled with people carrying their belongings, waving flags, and celebrating the months-long end of Israeli aggression and over a year of cross-border attacks. Many are defying warnings from the Israeli forces to to wait for its withdrawal before returning.
Announced by US President Joe Biden, the deal outlines a gradual withdrawal of Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) from southern Lebanon over the next 60 days. During this period, the Lebanese army will take control of the area to ensure Hezbollah does not rebuild its forces. Hezbollah is also required to relocate north of the Litani River.
Despite the scenes of celebration for the ceasefire, the devastation left behind is immense. Entire neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs have been reduced to rubble by Israeli airstrikes. Streets are lined with damaged buildings, and few areas have been spared the impact of relentless bombings.
The IOF also leaves behind immense tragedy and human toll. Israel’s brutal campaign has killed at least 3,100 people in Lebanon, with many more casualties expected to be reported now that the fighting has quelled.
Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, called this the “most cruel phase in Lebanese history” during a televised address today. He urged national unity and reaffirmed the Lebanese army’s responsibility for securing the south. Mikati also called on Israel to uphold its commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
While Lebanese people are celebrating cessation of aggression, Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank continue to endure their own humanitarian catastrophe as they feel their plight remains ignored.
“There is a little bit of hope in Gaza. Some Palestinians believe they’re next [for a ceasefire]. But most people feel abandoned, that no one is hearing them. We’re talking about more than a year of continuous war, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed,” said Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah, Gaza.
Since October 2023, the death toll from Israel’s genocide on Gaza has now hit at least 45,000 – with many more missing presumed dead under the rubble.
