Lebanese Return Home After Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire

Lebanese civilians are returning to their homes in southern Lebanon as a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah takes hold, according to reports from The Standard (HK). The ceasefire, agreed upon on Thursday, April 17, 2026, followed six weeks of intense fighting that began on March 2, 2026, and resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths and widespread destruction across southern towns, and cities.

Displaced residents, including Khodr Sahmarani, 57, of Nabatiyeh, have begun traveling back to their communities after surviving Israeli airstrikes that flattened residential buildings just hours before the ceasefire began at midnight on Thursday night. Sahmarani described being trapped underground after the attack on Nabatiyeh, screaming for his brother, nephew, and two neighbors who died in the strike.

Rescue workers recovered one body from the strike site on Thursday night and three more on Friday morning, according to Mohammad Sleiman, a rescuer in Nabatiyeh. Sahmarani said rescuers “came and took me out of the rubble” after the attack.

The conflict saw massive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon and a ground invasion in the south, leaving southern towns and cities such as Nabatiyeh and Sidon heavily damaged. President Joseph Aoun emphasized on Friday, April 18, 2026, that “direct negotiations” with Israel are crucial to consolidating the ceasefire, securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied southern territories, recovering prisoners, and addressing outstanding border disputes.

Thousands of Lebanese displaced by the war have begun returning home as the ceasefire stabilizes, though many remain unable to rebuild due to limited government and Hezbollah support. The ceasefire is part of ongoing efforts to negotiate a permanent end to hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.