A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah seems to be holding, bringing an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S. and France and approved by Israel, calls for a two-month halt to fighting. Hezbollah is required to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops are to return to their side of the border. Additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers will deploy in the south, with an international panel monitoring compliance.
Despite warnings from the Israeli and Lebanese military to stay away from certain areas, residents are returning to southern Lebanon. The ceasefire began after Israel launched strikes on Beirut and Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel. Displaced Lebanese are defying warnings and returning to villages in the south, where Israeli troops are still present.
Israel has reserved the right to strike Hezbollah if the terms of the ceasefire are violated. The deal does not address the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, where Israel continues to fight Hamas militants.
During the conflict, more than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon, many of them civilians. Hezbollah, though battered, managed to put up heavy resistance against Israel. In Israel, displaced residents express concerns that the ceasefire may not be sufficient to rein in Hezbollah.
While some see the ceasefire as a victory, others remain cautious about the future. The return of displaced individuals to their communities, which have suffered extensive damage, may take months. Israel claims victories in the war, including the killing of top Hezbollah leaders and the destruction of militant infrastructure.
Overall, the ceasefire brings hope for a period of calm after months of conflict, but the long-term implications remain uncertain.
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