In scenes of celebration, long-displaced residents of southern Lebanon began making their way back to their homes early Wednesday morning. The return follows the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, bringing a temporary halt to hostilities that had forced thousands to flee.

A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah appeared to be holding, as residents in cars heaped with belongings streamed back toward southern Lebanon despite warnings from the Israeli and Lebanese military that they stay away.