The great return: Thousands head home as ceasefire in Lebanon begins

By Al Mayadeen English
Apr 17, 2026

Thousands make their way back home to Southern Lebanon and Beirut’s Southern Suburb as the ceasefire kicks in following weeks of Israeli aggression.

Traffic on the roads leading to southern Lebanon has turned into a powerful wave of return, as thousands of citizens make their way back to their towns and villages following the entry into force of a 10-day ceasefire at midnight on Friday.

The return hit its peak one hour after the ceasefire came into effect, according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent, who described continuous movement of families heading south. Buses carrying residents toward villages in Nabatieh and surrounding areas have been running non-stop since the early hours of the morning, carrying people back to the homes they were forced to leave behind.


Since the ceasefire began, the Lebanese Army has moved swiftly to open new routes to ease civilian movement after key bridges over the Litani River were destroyed in Israeli attacks, in an attempt to isolate the South and sever the connection between its regions.

Despite the destruction, life is pushing forward again. Returning residents are now crossing into areas south of the Litani River after army engineering units reopened the al-Qasmiyeh Bridge, previously damaged in the aggression.

Beirut’s Southern Suburb comes alive

In the Southern Suburb of Beirut as well, families began returning at dawn, stepping back into their neighborhoods and homes.

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Al Mayadeen‘s correspondent reported heavy traffic across the capital as streets came alive with convoys of vehicles, horns, and expressions of joy after weeks of Israeli aggression.

A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and “Israel” took effect on Friday at 12 am, Beirut time, following sustained Iranian pressure linking any ceasefire agreement with the United States to a halt in Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Hailing the ceasefire, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf affirmed that it was a direct result of the Resistance’s steadfastness and the unity of the Axis, stressing that the agreement must be approached with caution.

In a statement, Ghalibaf said that “we will deal with this ceasefire cautiously, and we will stay together until the complete realization of victory,” underscoring that the current phase requires vigilance despite the halt in the aggression.


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