A 60-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah halted a ground invasion and cross-border attacks in Lebanon. However, both sides failed to withdraw as agreed, with Hezbollah scouts present in villages and Israeli drones overhead. The ceasefire collapsed just before its end, leaving both nations short of their obligations.
Soldiers from Israel’s northernmost town delivered a geography lesson on Hezbollah’s landmarks below during their first duty assignment. The soldiers were told to remove unit symbols, but despite efforts to delay withdrawal, neither side fulfilled the truce terms.
The war has left Lebanon’s civilians struggling with the aftermath: 4,000 people dead, including 1,000 women and children. Meanwhile, Israel lost about 80 soldiers and 47 civilians. The economic impact is severe, with many Lebanese unable to return home as their towns are abandoned.
Despite repeated violations, some Lebanese have returned to damaged areas vacated by the Israeli military. However, for those displaced in northern Israel, returning home remains a daunting task. Only 16 of Metula’s 1,700 residents returned since evacuation in October 2023.
For those like Mezal Simcha, living in temporary shelters adds stress to an already challenging situation. The war has reshaped lives and decisions for families across the region, leaving uncertainty about the future.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/25/we-dont-know-what-will-happen-northern-israeli-town-lebanon-ceasefire-end