The U.S. and French-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect Wednesday, with Lebanese civilians starting their cautious return to southern regions despite military warnings, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East’s year-long turmoil.
Lebanon’s army, charged with maintaining the truce, prepared to deploy throughout the south while urging residents of border villages to delay their return until Israeli forces, which had advanced about 6 kilometers into Lebanese territory, complete their withdrawal.
Early Wednesday, Israel reported firing on Hezbollah operatives approaching the border but the incident appeared unlikely to derail the agreement. The ceasefire represents a significant diplomatic achievement for President Joe Biden’s administration in its final year.
Cars loaded with mattresses, suitcases, and furniture streamed through the port city of Tyre, heading south despite extensive bombing damage in the region. “The Israelis haven’t withdrawn in full, they’re still on the edge. So we decided to wait until the army announces that we can go in. Then we’ll turn the cars on immediately and go to the village,” said Hussam Arrout, a father of four from Mays al-Jabal.
Under the agreement, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over 60 days while Lebanon’s army assumes control of border territories to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its infrastructure. The deal aims to end a conflict that has killed thousands since it erupted alongside the Gaza war last year.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Israel to “withdraw from all the regions and positions it occupied,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed significant victories against Hezbollah, including the elimination of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and destruction of most of their rockets and missiles.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for similar diplomatic progress in Gaza: “Force must give way to dialogue and negotiation. This has now been achieved in Lebanon, and it must happen as soon as possible in the Gaza Strip.”
The agreement allows Israel to focus on its conflict with Hamas in Gaza while enabling about 60,000 displaced Israeli civilians to return to their northern border communities. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri expressed support for Lebanon’s right to reach an agreement protecting its people.
Qatar, Egypt, and Iran welcomed the ceasefire, with Qatar’s foreign ministry expressing hope it could lead to a similar agreement ending the Gaza war. Hezbollah senior official Hassan Fadlallah, while not formally commenting on the ceasefire, told Lebanon’s Al Jadeed TV the group would emerge stronger from the conflict.
