Middle East

Lebanese families return as Israel-Hezbollah truce takes hold

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • The Israel-Hezbollah truce has allowed displaced Lebanese civilians to begin returning home, marking a significant step towards normalcy in the region.
  • While the ceasefire holds, significant challenges remain in addressing root causes of the conflict and ensuring long-term stability.
  • International support and grassroots initiatives will play crucial roles in transforming the temporary truce into lasting peace and fostering regional stability.

[MIDDLE EAST] In a deal mediated by the United States and France, Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah agreed to a truce on Wednesday, November 27, as residents of both nations started to return to their homes in the border region that had been devastated by 14 months of fighting.

The truce comes as a welcome relief to the region, which has been plagued by constant violence and uncertainty. Humanitarian organizations have been quick to mobilize, with aid convoys already en route to the most affected areas. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced plans to set up temporary shelters and provide essential supplies to those returning to damaged homes.

The deal put an end to the bloodiest fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group in years and was a rare diplomatic victory in a conflict-plagued region. However, Israel continues to combat the Palestinian militant organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, its other bitter enemy.

Some of the approximately 1.4 million individuals thought to have been displaced by the fighting were transported southward by cars and vans loaded with mattresses, bags, and even furniture as they passed through Tyre, a heavily damaged port city in Lebanon.

Economic experts are cautiously optimistic about the truce's potential impact on the region's economy. Dr. Nadia Mahmoud, an economist at the American University of Beirut, stated, "While the immediate focus is on humanitarian aid and rebuilding, we anticipate a gradual revival of local businesses and cross-border trade in the coming months. However, sustained peace is crucial for any meaningful economic recovery." Hezbollah's operations center issued its first statement since the truce was declared, vowing to maintain its struggle without specifically mentioning the ceasefire.

Combatants "remain fully equipped to deal with the aspirations and assaults of the Israeli enemy," according to Hezbollah. Its troops will be "with their hands on the trigger" as they watch Israel retreat from Lebanon. Israel's killing of the group's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and other casualties have damaged it.

The Lebanese health ministry says the truce is intended to put an end to a conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that has killed at least 3,768 people in Lebanon since it was sparked by the war in Gaza last year.

Environmental concerns have also come to the forefront as the dust settles. Satellite imagery reveals significant damage to agricultural lands and natural habitats along the border. Dr. Fadi Karam, an environmental scientist at the Lebanese University, warned, "The long-term ecological impact of this conflict could be severe. We're seeing evidence of soil contamination, deforestation, and disruption of local ecosystems. Restoration efforts must be a priority alongside rebuilding infrastructure."

The truce, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, is "the first ray of hope" after months of fighting in the Middle East. Iran hailed the ceasefire and hoped it would last, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

As individuals began to return to the homes they had fled, some automobiles in Lebanon honked, some flew national flags, and one woman was seen waving her fingers in a victory gesture. Asya Atwi, her husband, and daughter returned to their destroyed home in Zibqin, a community in southern Lebanon.

"The important thing is that we're back, against Israel's will and against the will of all the enemies," she stated. "We came back to our hometown, and we will sleep on the rubble."

Using the truce, 67-year-old Zahi Hijazi visited his damaged residence in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold extensively bombed by Israel. "Our lifetime's savings ... All this destruction," he stated.

About 60,000 Israelis abandoned villages near the northern border in October 2023 when Hezbollah began shooting rockets at them in favor of Hamas in Gaza. Israel has stated that its war goal in Lebanon was to ensure their safe return.

Asor Gal'it, who has been back in the Israeli border village of Metula for 14 months, reported hearing gunfire upon her arrival on Wednesday.

Mental health professionals are emphasizing the importance of psychological support for returning residents. Dr. Leila Abboud, a trauma specialist working with Médecins Sans Frontières, explained, "The psychological scars of displacement and conflict can last long after physical wounds have healed. We're setting up counseling services and support groups in both Israeli and Lebanese border communities to help people process their experiences and rebuild their lives."

We were a little scared, but we have faith in our troops, so we'll wait and see. Gal'it said, "Let's hope for the best." Amichay Biton viewed the remains of his parents' house in another Israeli border village. "Nothing is present. There is complete devastation," he declared.

The army of Lebanon, tasked with maintaining the ceasefire, announced that it has started sending more troops into an area that Israel has been heavily bombarding south of the Litani River. About 30 kilometers north of the Israeli border, the river empties into the Mediterranean.

Israel also initiated ground incursions into Lebanon in September, pushing Israeli forces about 6 kilometers into the country's southern suburbs and eastern cities and villages.

Israeli military are permitted to stay in Lebanon for 60 days under the conditions of the ceasefire. Following the arrest of four Hezbollah operatives in the region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed he had given the military orders to prevent locals from returning to towns close to the border.

For their own protection, the Lebanese army advised returning citizens to stay away from regions where Israeli forces were stationed. Israel would be adamant about enforcing the truce, according to Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

"Hezbollah operatives who approach our troops, the border area, and the villages within the area we have marked will be struck ... we are preparing, getting ready for the possibility that this (ceasefire) approach won't succeed," he stated.


Read More

Economy Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyJuly 18, 2025 at 7:30:00 PM

Trump Fed rate pressure exposes deep policy rift

Donald Trump has never shied away from criticizing the Federal Reserve. But in 2025, the stakes are different—and so is the context. In...

Marketing Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
MarketingJuly 18, 2025 at 7:30:00 PM

Why representation in marketing matters to your customers

We had just wrapped our biggest campaign of the year. The product was solid, the execution smooth, and the visuals—at least in our...

Loans Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
LoansJuly 18, 2025 at 7:00:00 PM

Can you include personal loans in bankruptcy?

Filing for bankruptcy is basically financial rock bottom, right? Not necessarily. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can personal loans be included in bankruptcy?”...

Health & Wellness Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
Health & WellnessJuly 18, 2025 at 7:00:00 PM

Why salmon and sardines deserve a spot on your plate

A tin of sardines. A fillet of salmon pulled from the freezer. A faint scent of brine in the air. These might not...

Credit Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
CreditJuly 18, 2025 at 7:00:00 PM

Should you get a credit card? Here's how to decide

Credit cards are often seen as a rite of passage into adulthood. But for many Singaporeans, the decision to get one is wrapped...

Business Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
BusinessJuly 18, 2025 at 6:00:00 PM

Why networking wins the job—not your résumé

In a world saturated with polished résumés, templated cover letters, and algorithm-filtered job boards, the most effective job seekers are no longer relying...

Mortgages Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
MortgagesJuly 18, 2025 at 4:30:00 PM

The secret behind all those all-cash offers in today’s housing market

The property market has always rewarded those who move quickly. But with mortgage rates high and inventory tight, buyers are increasingly expected to...

Culture Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJuly 18, 2025 at 4:30:00 PM

Why your company isn’t a family—and shouldn’t be

From the first team standup to the final investor pitch, many startups cling to a single line of cultural shorthand: “We’re like a...

Relationships Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
RelationshipsJuly 18, 2025 at 4:30:00 PM

Study finds introducing peanut to babies reduces allergy risk

There’s a moment many parents pause before handing over a spoon of peanut butter. Will it trigger something? Is this too soon? But...

Marketing Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
MarketingJuly 18, 2025 at 4:30:00 PM

How to boost customer referrals without gimmicks

Everyone wants referrals. The reality? Most startups build systems that quietly discourage them. They think delight leads to virality. They assume satisfaction drives...

Health & Wellness Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
Health & WellnessJuly 18, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM

Why toothpaste is almost always mint—and why that won’t change

No one gets excited about brushing their teeth. It’s not trending. It’s not romantic. It’s not even a habit you can flex on...

Financial Planning Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
Financial PlanningJuly 18, 2025 at 3:30:00 PM

One in three Singaporeans cuts spending on US products over Trump tariffs

Between July 1 and 8, 2025, over 1,500 Singaporeans and permanent residents were asked about their views on US goods and services. The...

Load More