Residents of Lebanon began returning to their homes today, although some do not plan to stay there as they fear that 10-day ceasefire in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel may prove fragile.
And Hezbollah said today that its members are keeping “their finger on the trigger” in case Israel violates the 10-day ceasefire that went into effect overnight.
In a statement, the pro-Iranian group said it carried out “2,184 military operations” against Israel and the Israeli army on Lebanese soil in the 45-day war. “Fighters will keep their finger on the trigger because they fear betraying the enemy,” according to the statement.
Remnant piles of rubble now stand where buildings once stood in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut.
In Kashmiya in southern Lebanon, cars were crossing an improvised crossing on the Litani River, hastily erected after the ceasefire began at midnight (local and Greek time). Israel destroyed all bridges on the Litani during the war.
“I saw my house and thank God that it is still standing,” said Ali Hamza, who had just visited his home in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital. However, he added that “people are afraid to come to stay and it is impossible to live in these conditions and this smell. It is difficult now for a normal return, despite the difficulties of displacement.”
In the southern city of Nabatiya, some residents who have returned to the area said they will remain there. Others said there was nothing to keep them there. “There is destruction and no one can live there. It is uninhabitable. We take our things and leave again,” said Fadel Bandredin, who went to the area with his young son and wife. “May God have mercy on us and end this whole thing once and for all – not temporarily – so we can return to our homes and land,” he added.
Truce in effect
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced yesterday afternoon by Donald Trump, aimed at creating the conditions for a broader peace agreement between the two countries.
But the Lebanese army denounced violations by the Israeli side in the south of the country shortly after the agreement was announced, to which Hezbollah responded with bombing.
The US president said yesterday (Thursday) that he hoped Hezbollah, which is pro-Iranian, would “behave well” during the 10-day ceasefire.
“I hope that Hezbollah will behave well during this important period. It will be a great moment for them if they do. Enough with the killings. We must finally have peace!,” the Republican said via Truth Social, notably typing that last word in capital letters, as is his habit for emphasis.
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