In a poignant scene of resilience, tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians seized the first day of a fragile ceasefire to return to their homes after being forcibly displaced by recent Israeli military operations.
Families packed into cars and trucks, navigating damaged roads to reach villages and towns they had fled under fire. The temporary halt in hostilities offered a brief window for people to assess the destruction, retrieve essential belongings, and reconnect with neighbors.
"We left with nothing but the clothes on our backs," said one returning resident, who asked not to be named. "Seeing our home again, even damaged, gives us a sliver of hope."
The mass return underscores the severe humanitarian toll of the conflict, with infrastructure in southern Lebanon reportedly heavily impacted. Aid organizations are mobilizing to provide emergency assistance, though access remains challenging.
As the ceasefire holds, international mediators are urging all parties to maintain restraint and work toward a lasting peace, emphasizing the urgent need to protect civilian lives and restore stability to the region.