SOUTHERN LEBANON — Displaced families began returning to communities in southern Lebanon on Monday following a U.S.-Iran ceasefire announcement. Lebanese authorities warned that it was not yet safe for displaced residents to return home.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israel and Hezbollah conducted military attacks against each other within 24 hours. The full text of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement has not been released. Iran and Pakistan stated the negotiated agreement includes a ceasefire applicable to Lebanon. Including Lebanon in the ceasefire was a key Iranian demand during negotiations.

Israeli military forces occupy approximately 5 percent of Lebanese territory. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli troops will remain indefinitely in captured Lebanese areas. Hezbollah has declined discussions regarding the disarmament of its weapons, while Lebanese officials state that disarmament of armed factions must proceed through diplomatic negotiations.

The armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in March when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel. Hezbollah stated it launched rockets in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed at the outset of a U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran. Israel responded with aerial strikes across Lebanon and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reports over 3,800 deaths since the conflict began in March. This casualty count does not differentiate between combatant and civilian deaths. The Israeli military states its forces have killed more than 2,500 Hezbollah fighters. Israeli authorities report the deaths of 30 Israeli soldiers and four Israeli civilians during the conflict.

Approximately one million people remain internally displaced across Lebanon. A video shared online showed residents arriving by car in a village where an Israeli armored vehicle was blocking a street. A displaced resident identified as Abo Ali said, "All of this can be compensated for, and rebuilt." Another displaced resident, Moustafa, said, "For someone who's used to this area and has lived here, to come back and see this destruction is extremely hard." Moustafa also stated, "Israel can't be trusted."

Two prior ceasefire agreements in Lebanon failed to halt military hostilities. A 2024 agreement ending previous fighting between Israel and Hezbollah did not stop subsequent daily attacks.