People return to Lebanon holding victory signs after ceasefire with Israel

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon brought scenes of relief as displaced residents returned home in southern Lebanon, waving victory signs along the way. The truce has raised hopes for broader de-escalation, with continued diplomatic signals suggesting the wider conflict may be nearing an end.

Thomas Suen, Feline Lim/Reuters

April 17, 2026

People return to Lebanon holding victory signs after ceasefire with Israel

People show victory signs from a vehicle as displaced people make their way back to their home crossing the bridge linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country, which was hit earlier in an Israeli strike, after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect, in Qasmiyeh, Lebanon, April 17, 2026.

Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters

People held up victory signs as they drove into southern Lebanon on Thursday (April 17) after a 10-day ceasefire with Israel went into effect.

At Qasmiyeh, a long line of vehicles containing displaced people — eager to return home — crossed a bridge linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country.

A ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect on Thursday and U.S. President Donald Trump said the next meeting between the United States and Iran may take place over the weekend, adding to optimism that the Iran war could be nearing an end.

Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,100 people in Lebanon since March 2 and forced more than 1.2 million to flee, Lebanese authorities say. Hezbollah attacks have killed two ⁠Israeli civilians, while 13 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon since March 2, Israel says.

-Thomas Suen, Feline Lim/Reuters