At the stroke of midnight, the start of the ceasefire in Beirut was met with celebratory gunfire and fireworks. Throughout the morning, smiling crowds gathered along roads leading to Lebanon’s south, the heartland of Hezbollah, playing revolutionary music and waving the group’s yellow flag as they began their journey back to areas from which they had been displaced by the war.
This initial 10-day ceasefire follows six weeks of a devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia Muslim militia and political party. It offers some respite for a country exhausted by the war. Lebanese health authorities report that more than 2,100 people have been killed, and over a million, roughly one in five of the population, have been displaced, creating a pressing humanitarian crisis.
Mattresses on top of cars and families on motorbikes indicated widespread movement, but many are not returning to stay. In some places, the damage is too extensive, and for some, there is nothing left to return to. Certain towns and villages near the border remain under Israeli occupation.
However, in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahieh, the streets remained relatively quiet. This area was heavily impacted by Israel during the war, with many residential buildings reduced to rubble. Along the city’s waterfront, where hundreds of displaced families have been living in improvised tents, some expressed fears about returning.
Key Unresolved Issues
Announced by US President Donald Trump, the ceasefire leaves several critical questions unanswered. Firstly, it does not explicitly mention the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, raising concerns that parts of the country could remain occupied even after the war. Israeli officials state their goal is to create a so-called security buffer zone, several miles deep, which could prevent many residents of those areas from returning.
Secondly, there is the long-standing issue of Hezbollah’s weapons, a topic that has deeply divided Lebanon. Some parties, including the US, Israel, and certain Lebanese factions, advocate for disarmament, asserting that the group prioritizes the interests of its ally, Iran, and has contributed to conflicts. Conversely, supporters argue that Hezbollah serves as their only protection in a weak state. For now, Hezbollah has refused to discuss the future of its weapons.
In a rare interview with the BBC, Wafiq Safa, a high-ranking member of Hezbollah’s political council, stated that the group would “never, ever” disarm. He also emphasized that there “can be no separation” between Hezbollah and Iran, describing their relationship as “two souls in one body.” He added, “There can be no Hezbollah without Iran, and no Iran without Hezbollah.”
The Lebanese government has very limited, if any, influence over Hezbollah. President Joseph Aoun has stated that disarmament cannot be achieved by force, warning of potential violence, and that it would require negotiations with the group. Observers suggest that, considering Iran’s significant role, decisions regarding the future of these weapons may ultimately be made in Tehran rather than Beirut.
Finally, according to the deal, Israel may even continue to attack Lebanon, citing security concerns. This provision could potentially revert the country to the situation before the most recent fighting, when Israel carried out near-daily attacks on targets and individuals allegedly linked to Hezbollah, despite a previous ceasefire that had ended their prior conflict in November 2024. Hezbollah remained quiet.
Trump appears to hope that this ceasefire could be the beginning of a process to normalize relations between Israel and Lebanon—another divisive topic in the country. The two neighbors have technically been in a state of war since 1948 and maintain no diplomatic relations. With parts of Lebanon occupied and Hezbollah yet to be disarmed, significant progress on this front appears unlikely for now.
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