Beirut, Lebanon – Residents in Lebanon awoke Monday to news of a ceasefire agreement announced between the United States and Iran, which officials stated includes Lebanon. However, conflicting statements from Israeli officials have cast a shadow of doubt over whether the conflict ravaging southern Lebanon since 2023 has truly ended.

Videos on Monday showed Lebanese citizens beginning to return to their homes in southern areas. Nevertheless, officials have cautioned residents of border villages to defer their return until the security situation is more clearly established. For many, the prospect of returning is overshadowed by destruction; Ali Saleh, a 55-year-old displaced from Jwaya, stated his home was destroyed and financial circumstances make returning impossible.

Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire follows an escalation of hostilities on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel. This action was reportedly a response to over 10,000 Israeli violations of a previous 2024 ceasefire. The escalation occurred shortly after the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, during the initial phase of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Since the intensification of the conflict, Israeli actions have resulted in at least 3,783 deaths and 11,699 injuries in Lebanon. Over 1.2 million people have been displaced from southern Lebanon, Beirut's southern suburbs, and villages in the Bekaa Valley. Israeli forces have razed numerous villages and currently occupy significant areas of southern Lebanon.

Recent weeks saw evacuation orders and extensive Israeli bombing campaigns targeting Tyre and Nabatieh, two of the most populous areas in the south, leading to widespread devastation. The Lebanese army issued a statement Monday advising caution for those returning home, with particular warnings for residents of border villages not to return immediately.

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, announced that the US-Iran deal mandates the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." This announcement was met with a positive reception from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who has been working to restore state authority across the country. President Aoun expressed that the Lebanese people are eagerly anticipating the "ceasefire and the end of the bloodshed."

Despite the official pronouncements, the historical context of previous ceasefire violations and the current ambiguity from Israeli officials fuel apprehension among the Lebanese population. The effectiveness and longevity of this new agreement remain uncertain, particularly given the deep-seated nature of the regional conflict.

Further details regarding the specifics of the US-Iran agreement and the verified cessation of hostilities on the ground are awaited. The coming days will be critical in determining whether this ceasefire will bring lasting peace to Lebanon or if the cycle of violence will persist.