Lebanese army completes deployment in southern Lebanon as displaced people await return to their homes

Beirut: Following months of ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon, which led to thousands of casualties and affected vast areas in Lebanon, the ceasefi...

Beirut: Following months of ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon, which led to thousands of casualties and affected vast areas in Lebanon, the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel came into effect on Wednesday.

However, hope remains pinned on the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the guaranteed withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, allowing for the return of displaced people and reconstruction of devastated areas.

With the ceasefire coming into effect, the Lebanese army command announced the completion of its deployment in the southern part of the country, in direct coordination with UNIFIL under the UN Resolution 1701. Nonetheless, the Lebanese army urged the Lebanese people to patiently delay their return to villages and towns located in the front-line areas that had witnessed Israeli incursions, awaiting their complete withdrawal, as per the ceasefire agreement.

Although the Lebanese people are facing formidable humanitarian and social challenges, the ceasefire represents a glimmer of hope in putting an end to this violence, eventually restoring normal life, and rebuilding what was destroyed by the Israeli offensive to ensure a more secure and stable future. The Israeli onslaught not only devastated critical infrastructure but also inflicted dehumanizing trauma.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati emphasized, on Wednesday, that his government is committed to implementing UN Resolution 1701, particularly with regard to the deployment of the Lebanese army in the southern Litani. He called on Israel to uphold the ceasefire and withdraw from the occupied Lebanese territories, urging the Lebanese people to unite in the face of the challenges in the aftermath of this aggression.