Facing uncertainty, displaced Lebanese returning home to rebuild lives after ceasefire deal

As the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel took effect at dawn on Wednesday, thousands of displaced Lebanese, filled with joy and uncertainty, are now returning home from Beirut, capital of Lebanon, to begin the long journey of rebuilding their lives after months of devastating conflict.

For over two months, the streets of Beirut had been constantly filled with the roaring sounds of fighter jets and the explosions of bombs.

From the very moment the ceasefire agreement took effect, many Lebanese who had sought refuge in Beirut began to travel along highways from the capital to the regions further south such as Sidon, Tyre, and the Bekaa Valley, with some even trying to return to areas south of the Litani River, where Israeli forces still maintain a presence.

In Beirut, it is still common to see residents tying mattresses, tables, chairs, and other furniture to the roofs of their cars, and vehicles packed full of household items. Spirits are high as they are returning home, with cheerful crowds can been seen along the way.

Many flights that had been suspended since September resumed on Saturday, with Beirut airport expected to restore 90 percent of its flight operations by early December.

Due to heavy airstrikes previously launched by the Israeli forces on Beirut, particularly in the southern suburb of Dahieh, many residents had fled the area. With the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire now in effect, people are returning to their homes for the first time to see if their houses were destroyed.

Those neighborhoods that had almost become "ghost towns" are beginning to show signs of life again. Amid damaged buildings and rubble, residents and shopkeepers are clearing debris, salvaging usable items, and rebuilding their homes. Municipal workers are clean debris off the streets and repairing electrical infrastructure.

Still, parts of southern Beirut has remained in ruins, with drinking water and electricity yet to be restored. Residents here are torn between the desire to resume their normal lives and the fear of possible and sudden airstrikes by the Israeli forces during the 60-day ceasefire.

The Israeli military considers Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh a stronghold of Hezbollah forces and had previously conducted targeted strikes on what it claimed were a lot of military sites and infrastructure in the area.

Some schools and residential buildings in Beirut have continued to house refugees who have yet to leave. The Lebanese Armed Forces have announced that they are working with UN peacekeeping forces to strengthen military deployments in areas south of the Litani River.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces have said that they will gradually withdraw and will notify Lebanese residents when it is safe to return home. Both militaries have warned residents of southern Lebanon to wait until Israeli forces have fully withdrawn.

According to a World Bank report, since the conflict between Lebanon and Israel began in October of last year, Israeli attacks have destroyed at least 37 villages in Lebanon, partially or completely damaged over 99,000 homes, and displaced more than 1.2 million people. This has further exacerbated Lebanon's already dire situation, leaving the country with a long and arduous path to recovery.

Facing uncertainty, displaced Lebanese returning home to rebuild lives after ceasefire deal

Facing uncertainty, displaced Lebanese returning home to rebuild lives after ceasefire deal

Facing uncertainty, displaced Lebanese returning home to rebuild lives after ceasefire deal

Facing uncertainty, displaced Lebanese returning home to rebuild lives after ceasefire deal

Facing uncertainty, displaced Lebanese returning home to rebuild lives after ceasefire deal

Facing uncertainty, displaced Lebanese returning home to rebuild lives after ceasefire deal

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Sunday called on all parties concerned to immediately implement a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and provide necessary humanitarian assistance to Gaza residents.

The call was made by the GCC at its 45th summit in Kuwait.

It is the first time for Kuwait to host the GCC summit since 2017.

Two core issues, strengthening Gulf economic integration and maintaining international and regional security and stability, topped the agenda of the summit.

The summit also focused on the most pressing issues around the world such as the challenges facing the world economy, and demonstrated the determination of the Gulf countries to deal with complex situations.

In his speech, Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah condemned Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territory and genocide against Palestinians, and called on the international community to play a proper role in ensuring the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

On the situation in Lebanon, the emir said that Kuwait is optimistic about the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, believing that it will help ease the situation in the region.

However, he also believed that countries have double standards in implementing the UN Security Council resolutions, which has been undermining the security and stability in the region.

Sheikh Mishal reiterated that Kuwait fully supports the actions taken by the GCC countries to stabilize the situation in the region.

In a statement adopted at the summit, the GCC member states called for an immediately and permanently cease-fire from Israel, and all necessary humanitarian assistance to the residents in the Gaza Strip to meet their basic needs.

The GCC is a regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The council's main headquarters is located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The Charter of the GCC was signed on May 25, 1981, formally establishing the institution.

GCC calls for immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza Strip