Name: Thousands Return to Lebanon as Israel-Hezbollah Cease-Fire Holds
Uploaded: 2024-11-27T20:56:20.000Z
Description: Thousands of residents of towns and villages in southern Lebanon have started returning to their homes as the cease-fire between Israel and the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah took effect.

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

NTD Plus

News

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

Pentagon Scraps Deployment of 4,000 Troops to Poland

9/11 Memorial and Museum Adds 7th Moment of Silence

AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Launch Joint Venture to Tackle Dead Zones

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

Trump Committed to US Defense, Prosperity, Amid China Talks: Expert

Jerome Powell Ends Tenure as Fed Chair

US Government Sues Chick-fil-A Over Religious Rights

Melina Wisecup is NTD's congressional correspondent based in Washington, covering Capitol Hill and campaign politics.

Melina Wisecup

California Gubernatorial Candidates Make Closing Pitches to Voters 

Jason Blair is a national correspondent for NTD News based in California. 

Jason Blair

Federal Judge Partly Blocks Texas Immigration Law

Trump Announces National Garden of American Heroes Plans

Top Officer: Navy Funding Could Lapse by July

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 15)

Paul Greaney is an NTD news anchor and producer. Since joining the company in 2018, he has anchored the station’s flagship Evening News broadcast, launched the NTD Business show, and produced documentary reports on pointed issues. 

The highlight of Paul’s time in the field was his coverage of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Paul Greaney

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 14)

Kevin Hogan is an NTD News data reporter and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Kevin covers breaking news, as well as U.S. and global current events. He conveys the news through data visualizations and investigates pressing issues.

Kevin Hogan

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 13)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 12)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 11)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 8)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 7)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 6)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 5)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 4)

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

China Sends Warships to Pacific Drill as Tensions With Japan Rise

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

2 US Embassy Personnel Assigned to Cartel Case Killed in Car Accident

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

Gunman Kills 8 Children, Including 7 of His Own, in Louisiana Mass Shooting

Flora Hua is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Flora primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."  

Flora Hua

Trump: Seized Iranian Ship May Have ‘A Gift From China’

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Wildfires Across Georgia and Florida Have Destroyed Nearly 50 Homes and Are Forcing Evacuations

US Warns of China Hacks via Routers, Smart Devices

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

Thousands of residents of towns and villages in southern Lebanon have started returning to their homes as the cease-fire between Israel and the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah took effect.

The cease-fire came into effect at 4 a.m. local time on Nov. 27 (9 p.m. ET on Nov. 26) and within hours hundreds of cars were driving back into southern Lebanon, defying a warning from the Israeli military to stay away from evacuated areas.

Israel has said it will attack if Hezbollah breaks the cease-fire agreement.

On Wednesday morning the Lebanese prime minister, Najib Mikati, held a press conference where he urged Israel to abide by the terms of the cease-fire.

Under the terms of the deal Israel will evacuate all Lebanese territory within 60 days, and the Lebanese army will move in and secure the area.

Lebanon has committed its army to continue the work of destroying Hezbollah’s fortifications near the Israeli border, including tunnels meant to enable a cross-border attack.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began shortly after the Lebanese group's allies, Hamas, launched their attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostage.

After almost a year of Hezbollah rocket attacks, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) launched a ground invasion on Oct. 1 in an attempt to move the terrorists away from the border and destroy tunnels and other fortifications.

The Hezbollah leader, <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/israel-says-leader-of-hezbollah-killed-in-air-strikes-5731762">Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah</a>, was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut on Sept. 27 but the group, spurred on by Iran, has continued to fight, and fire rockets into Israel.

Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel on Tuesday, but there have been no reports of casualties.

The Lebanese authorities said 42 people were killed by Israeli air strikes across the country on Nov. 26.
<h2>Iran Welcomes Cease-Fire</h2>
Iran has welcomed the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran still wanted to see a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where the Hamas-controlled health ministry says 44,000 have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023.

Baghaei also called for the “criminals of the occupying regime,” to be tried by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Last week the ICC issued <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/icc-issues-arrest-warrants-for-netanyahu-and-defense-minister-5763719">international arrest warrants</a> for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant.

A warrant was also issued for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, who Israel believes is dead.

On Wednesday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abi Zuhri said, "Hamas appreciates the right of Lebanon and Hezbollah to reach an agreement that protects the people of Lebanon and we hope that this agreement will pave the way to reaching an agreement that ends the war of genocide against our people in Gaza."

The cease-fire has not been welcomed by all Israelis.

The <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ceasefire-deal-backed-by-only-20-of-netanyahu-coalition-voters-snap-poll-finds/">Times of Israel</a> reported a snap opinion poll carried out by Channel 12, which found only 20 percent of those who support Netanyahu's coalition supported the cease-fire with Hezbollah.

The Lebanese government said around 1.2 million people had been displaced by the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the leader of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Strength) party, wrote on X on Tuesday night, “The cabinet's decision tonight is a serious mistake.”

Ben-Gvir, who is Israel’s national security minister, added, “A cease-fire at this stage will not return the residents of the north to their homes, will not deter Hezbollah and in fact will miss a historic opportunity to strike them hard and bring them to their knees.”
<h2>IDF Warns Against Returning</h2>
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee, <a href="https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1861594034524803146">wrote in Arabic on X</a>, "Urgent warning to the residents of south Lebanon ... You are prohibited from heading towards the villages that the IDF has ordered to be evacuated or towards IDF forces in the area."

“For your safety and the safety of your family members, refrain from moving to the area,” he added.

But the warning was largely ignored, as celebratory gunfire was heard at the main roundabout in the southern city of Tyre.

One of those who was returning to his home, Ahmad Husseini, said returning to southern Lebanon was an “indescribable feeling” and he praised the Speaker of Lebanon's Parliament, Nabih Berri, who led the Lebanese negotiating team.

“He made us and everyone proud,” said Husseini.

Berri, who is 86, is a veteran Shi'ite politician whose Amal movement was eclipsed by Hezbollah in the 1990s.

But Tyre resident Hussein Sweidan said the cease-fire was a victory for Hezbollah.

“This is a moment of victory, pride and honor for us, the Shia sect, and for all of Lebanon,” he said.

<em>Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.</em>

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/thousands-return-to-lebanon-as-israel-hezbollah-cease-fire-holds-5767078">The Epoch Times</a></em>

Latest

Videos

israel

04_Top Stories

Hezbollah

Latest Clips

Management

Cease-Fire

Chris Summers is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of national stories, with a particular interest in crime, policing and the law. 

Chris Summers

Malcolm Hudson is an international correspondent for NTD News based in London.

Malcolm Hudson

Israel–Hamas War

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.