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Thousands return home to south Lebanon

The war has been Lebanon's deadliest in decades, killing more than 3,823 people, according to local officials. Credit: Getty Images

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon began at 04:00 local time on Wednesday, halting a 13 month-long conflict following Hamas's attack on southern Israel in October 2023. Israel intensified air strikes and launched a ground invasion against Hezbollah in September. Attacks by both sides were recorded until shortly before the ceasefire started. By morning, thousands of Lebanese civilians began returning to their homes in the south, despite Israeli and Lebanese authorities warning that certain areas are not yet safe. Under the deal brokered by the US, Israel has 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah is expected to remove fighters and weapons from the area in the same period. Lebanese soldiers will be deployed in the area south of the Litani River, a boundary established at the end of the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. 

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• Israeli's anger: Political rivals of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have criticised him over the deal - and some of his political allies too, reports Lucy Williamson from Jerusalem.

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• Hezbollah's future: The group has been severely weakened - some would say humiliated - but it has not been destroyed, writes Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega from Beirut.

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• Get the latest: We are covering what happens next, including reactions to the ceasefire deal and what it all means for Gaza.

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