Displaced residents in Lebanon have started returning to their homes following the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The ceasefire came into force on Wednesday morning, prompting a wave of people making their way back to their villages in the eastern Beqaa valley and southern Lebanon.
Despite an Israeli military warning advising displaced southern residents not to return home yet, traffic congestion was reported on roads leading to the affected regions. The state-run news agency NNA documented convoys of cars transporting families back to their villages, indicating a significant movement of people returning to their homes.
Footage captured by Reuters showed a steady stream of cars driving along the main road to the southern city of Tyre, reflecting the eagerness of residents to reunite with their communities after a prolonged period of displacement.
According to the United Nations' refugee agency, over 1.3 million individuals in Lebanon have been displaced as a result of the conflict that has spanned more than a year. The ceasefire agreement includes provisions for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon within 60 days, with Hezbollah fighters also expected to retreat 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Israel border. However, the process of withdrawal is anticipated to take some time to complete.
