Southern Lebanon Residents Return Home Amid Fragile Ceasefire, Wary of Staying

In the southern suburbs of Beirut and further south, long lines of vehicles were seen heading back toward towns and villages that had been emptied during weeks of intense fighting, as reported by Press TV.

The return marks a moment of cautious relief after 46 days of conflict that left widespread destruction across the region.

In the city of Nabatieh, one of the hardest-hit areas, entire neighbourhoods bear the scars of repeated Israeli strikes.

Shops lie in ruins, homes have been reduced to rubble, and vital infrastructure has been severely damaged, Al Jazeera reported.

The scale of devastation is visible across the city, with destruction stretching as far as the eye can see.

Despite the losses, residents are making their way back, determined to assess the damage and begin rebuilding their lives. The steady flow of returnees from Beirut toward southern Lebanon reflects both resilience and urgency among displaced families.

While many are checking on their properties, others remain hesitant to stay permanently. The Lebanese Army has cautioned citizens about the risks of returning to certain border villages due to the presence of unexploded ordnance and the proximity of Israeli forces.

The Lebanese Army, in a post on X, said, "In follow-up to the previous statement regarding the call for citizens to adhere to the directives of the deployed military units, the army command renews its call to citizens to exercise caution in returning to the southern villages and towns amid a number of violations of the agreement, with several Israeli attacks recorded, in addition to intermittent shelling targeting a number of villages. The command also emphasises the necessity of adhering to the directives of the deployed military units to ensure their safety, especially during nighttime hours, and to avoid approaching hazardous areas. The army command continues to monitor developments and take the necessary measures to safeguard citizens' safety."

The ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, who said Israel and Lebanon had agreed to halt hostilities for 10 days following intensive diplomatic engagement.

"I just had excellent conversations with the highly respected President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel. These two leaders have agreed that, in order to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. EST," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The truce comes after a sharp escalation along the Israel-Lebanon border, involving Israeli forces and Hezbollah, in the backdrop of broader regional tensions linked to the US-Iran conflict.

While the ceasefire has opened a window for displaced civilians to return, the situation remains fragile, with sporadic violations underscoring the uncertainty facing those heading back to their homes.

- ANI