Displaced Lebanese families head home after US-Iran deal

Article by Viory

Homeward Journey Begins

Displaced people sheltering in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon began returning to their villages and towns in the Nabatieh district on Monday, after the US and Iran announced an agreement to halt military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Footage shows families at the Lebanese University campus in Sidon packing their belongings and preparing to leave.

Cars loaded with luggage were also seen travelling through Habbouch and along the Zafna-Nabatieh road. Others passed through a Lebanese Army checkpoint in Kafr Ruman.

“We are returning with our heads held high. We have defeated Israel. Israel cannot defeat us, the people of the South,” said Hana al-Jamal.

Al-Jamal added that her sons’ homes had been destroyed, along with her daughter’s home in Kfar Tabbin.

Return Amid Caution

The Lebanese Army urged residents to exercise caution when returning to southern border villages and towns, and to follow instructions from deployed military units.

It said the measures were needed to protect residents from “the risk of Israeli breaches and attacks”.

Despite the agreement, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would not withdraw from territory seized in Lebanon. He also threatened retaliation if Iran attacked Israel over developments there.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced early on Monday that the United States and Iran had reached a peace agreement providing for “the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon”.

Sharif said Pakistan would host a formal signing ceremony in Geneva on Friday, June 19.

Peace Deal Unfolds

US President Donald Trump said the agreement with Iran had been completed, announcing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the memorandum of understanding with Washington would be formally signed on Friday, June 19.

It added that negotiations on a final agreement would be postponed “until the commitments set out in the memorandum have been implemented”.

Conflict Background

The war began on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran. Missile exchanges followed, fuelling a wider regional escalation.

A ceasefire was declared in April to allow diplomatic efforts to continue.

Article by Viory