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Residents displaced by months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began returning to southern Lebanon early this morning after a ceasefire went into effect at 4:00 a.m. local time. Despite warnings from officials, streams of vehicles, some carrying mattresses and other belongings, were seen heading south from the port city of Sidon.

The Lebanese army, preparing to deploy troops to the region, urged civilians to wait until Israeli forces complete their withdrawal. “Citizens should delay returning to frontline villages and towns until Israeli enemy forces have withdrawn,” the military said in a statement. The process is expected to take several weeks as both sides monitor the ceasefire agreement’s implementation.

The IDF echoed this warning through its Arabic-language spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee, advising residents to avoid areas near Israeli positions for their safety. Updates on when it will be safe to return are expected in the coming days.

In Tyre, however, jubilant scenes broke out as displaced residents celebrated their return. Cars and motorcycles filled the streets, with drivers honking horns and firing celebratory gunfire. Some shouted slogans praising Hezbollah and its slain leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli strike in September.

Hussein Sweidan, a returnee, called the truce a “victory for Hezbollah,” while Ahmad Husseini praised Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for his role in securing the agreement.

The ceasefire marks the end of intense fighting that displaced thousands and devastated communities, though the situation remains fragile.