Fragile ceasefire negotiated by the United States appears to hold in Lebanon

A fragile calm settled in some regions of Lebanon on Friday as the 10-day ceasefire negotiated by the United States came into effect between Israel and Hezbollah.

The beginning of the truce prompted thousands of displaced families to start the journey back home, but uncertainty and Israeli warnings cast a shadow over their return.

In the morning, cars lined up on the road leading south to the damaged Qasmiyeh bridge, which crosses the Litani River, a crucial passage connecting the coastal city of Tyre.

Vehicles loaded with mattresses, suitcases, and personal belongings slowly advanced on a single lane, repaired hastily after an Israeli airstrike the day before.

The war between Israel and Hezbollah displaced over a million people from their homes.

The ceasefire appeared to hold at the start of the day. However, Lebanese authorities advised against immediate returns home.

In southern villages like Jibsheet, returning residents were met with collapsed buildings, streets littered with concrete debris, and dangling electrical wires.

“I feel free to be back,” said 23-year-old Zainab Fahas. “But look, they have destroyed everything: the square, the houses, the shops, everything.”

Many people interviewed by the Associated Press did not believe their ordeal was truly over.

“Israel does not want peace,” declared 27-year-old Ali Wahdan, a paramedic walking with crutches among the wreckage in the general emergency services district in Jibsheet.

Mr. Wahdan was seriously injured in an Israeli airstrike that hit the building during the first week of the war.

“I wish it were different, but this war will continue,” he lamented.

In the Haret Hreik neighborhood, south of Beirut, entire buildings were reduced to ruins after weeks of intense Israeli airstrikes.

Ahmad Lahham, 48, waved the yellow Hezbollah flag, standing on a mountain of debris that was once his building, which also housed a branch of Hezbollah’s financial arm, Al-Qard Al-Hassan.

“We are here to serve the fighters,” supported Mr. Lahham, reaffirming his loyalty to the group.

He praised Iran and stated that the pressure exerted by the country during negotiations with the United States had led to the ceasefire, condemning Lebanon’s direct talks with Israel.

“Only the Iranians supported us,” he mentioned, referring to Lebanese leaders as “leaders of shame.”

According to a local official from Haret Hreik, Israel struck the neighborhood 62 times in the past six weeks.

“We were able to clear debris from partially damaged buildings, but for those that were destroyed, we will need special equipment,” explained Sadek Slim, deputy mayor of the neighborhood, at a press conference.

The neighborhood was paralyzed by traffic, with residents returning to check on the condition of their homes. Meanwhile, Hezbollah supporters sped by on scooters, waving the group’s flag.