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.
