The ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, which came into effect in the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, sparked scenes of joy and celebration among residents. The streets echoed with car horns and cheers as many waved the flags of Hezbollah and the Amal party.
The initial two-month agreement requires Hezbollah to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon and for Israeli troops to return to their side of the border. For some residents, the ceasefire represents a victory against Israel and a glimmer of hope after months of conflict.
Fatima, a displaced resident of Beirut’s southern suburbs, expressed optimism despite the losses: “We don’t care about the rubble or the destruction. We lost our livelihood, our belongings, but it doesn’t matter, everything will come back. Like in 2006, when everything was rebuilt, Dahiyeh, the south and the Bekaa. It will be even more beautiful. And I say to Netanyahu that you have lost, again and again, because we came back and the others (the Israelis) have not come back. They are still hiding in the shelters like rats. Look at us Netanyahu.”
This ceasefire could offer some respite to the 1.2 million Lebanese displaced by the fighting. Across the border, tens of thousands of Israelis had fled their homes due to Hezbollah rockets fired into the country.
Israel has warned that it will retaliate if Hezbollah breaks the ceasefire agreement. However, the agreement does not address the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The celebrations in the streets of Dahiyeh testify to the importance of this agreement for the populations affected by armed conflict, but the situation remains fragile and the future uncertain in a region marked by decades of conflict and tension.