15.06.2026 21:41
The announcement of the agreement between the U.S. and Iran, which also includes Lebanon, has brought hope to over one million Lebanese who were forced to leave their homes due to Israeli attacks. While a heavy flow of vehicles has begun moving toward the south of the country, the Lebanese army, local municipalities, and the Amal Movement have warned citizens "not to rush in returning."
The announcement that Lebanon was also included in the agreement reached between the US and Iran has increased hopes among Lebanese, who have been facing attacks and forced displacement for weeks, of returning home.
MANY FAMILIES HAVE STARTED THEIR JOURNEY BACK
Following the announcement of the agreement, vehicle movement was observed, especially towards towns in the south of the country, and many families have set out on their return journey to check on their homes and lands. While the local people are joyful at the prospect of regaining their homes, they remain cautious about whether the agreement will be permanent. After the ceasefire declared on April 17, many Lebanese had returned to their homes, but many families were again displaced due to ongoing Israeli attacks.
CAUTIOUS RETURN CALL
As the security situation has not yet become clear, some municipalities in the south have also called on citizens not to rush. Late at night, the Amal Movement made a similar statement, asking citizens not to hurry in returning to their villages. Despite this, many Lebanese who have been away from their homes for a long time have begun returning to the towns where they were born and raised after hearing the news of the agreement.
A SIMILAR CALL CAME FROM THE ARMY
After the agreement between the US and Iran, the Lebanese army also called on citizens not to rush as displaced people began returning to their homes in the south. Meanwhile, Israel announced that it would not withdraw from the areas it occupied in southern Lebanon despite the agreement. Due to ongoing attacks, some forcibly displaced Lebanese have postponed returning to their towns and villages for now to "the next day."
"ALL OF LEBANON IS OUR COUNTRY, NOT JUST THE SOUTH"
Hasan Sayyid, from the southern town of Mervaniyye, recounted how they were forced to leave their homes due to Israeli attacks. Expressing that regaining their land is more valuable than anything else, Sayyid said, "We are not looking at the destruction right now. We are looking at the land we will return to. Because we grew from that land. Now we are returning to our roots; that is our foundation. All of Lebanon is our country, not just the south. Our country is all of Lebanon. We are not just the people of the south." Sayyid stated that after what happened, Lebanese must be united, emphasizing that every region of the country is a shared homeland and that people hope to return to their normal lives.
"WE ALL WANT THE WAR TO END"
Hasan Naim, from the town of Kantara in the Marjayoun district, said he had spent the last few weeks in the town of Ghaziyye near Sidon, adding that due to past experiences, they are more cautious this time. Naim, who said he first wanted to see his family and village upon returning home, stated, "Now the power is in our hands. That's what happened yesterday. The ceasefire happened when Iran said it would only retaliate. I hope Israel abides by it. It has to anyway. We are happy when we see our village. We all want the war to end."
A Lebanese citizen named Ali, from the town of Siddikin in the Tyre district, said, "Now we are returning to southern Lebanon. We are the owners of these lands. God willing, we have won, and I pray for mercy for those who lost their lives."
OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE DISPLACED
The Israeli army launched intense airstrikes on Lebanon on March 2 and occupied many towns in the south of the country. During this period, the Lebanese government announced that the number of displaced people in the country had exceeded 1 million. In a statement yesterday, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that 3,783 people had lost their lives in Israeli attacks on the country since March 2. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the US and Iran had reached an agreement, stating, "It declared the immediate and permanent end of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon." Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that an agreement had been reached with the US and announced that the memorandum of understanding would be signed in Switzerland on June 19.