The Lebanon ceasefire agreement entered into force on Wednesday morning based on the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701. The implementation of the agreement was facilitated by United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) and supported by an international monitoring committee.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said shortly after the ceasefire took effect at 4am, residents of southern Lebanon, areas south of Beirut and the Bekaa (Valley) began returning to their homes after months of forced displacement. “
“Since this (Wednesday) morning, heavy traffic has been seen on the southern highway from Beirut.”
Before the incident, Lebanon had seen months of relatively low-level firing along the Blue Line separating the Hezbollah armed group from Israel, according to the United Nations Organization for Migration (IOM).
Blue Line operations are monitored by the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL.
Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into full-scale war in September, killing more than 3,500 people and leaving more than 886,000 homeless.
Relief convoys have reached thousands of people
Amid soaring temperatures, 11 of the agency’s trucks delivered emergency aid to 3,100 people in the eastern town of Baalbek, UNHCR said.
These include blankets, mattresses, winter jackets, plastic sheets, solar lamps and sleeping mats.
“We will continue to work closely with local authorities and partners to help affected people stay warm and safe this winter,” the agency said.
“We will continue to provide essential assistance to displaced people as they rebuild their lives after so much damage and destruction.”
Catherine Russell, executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s support for the ceasefire agreement, drawing attention to the “suffering and loss” suffered by many people who have nothing to do with the fighting in Lebanon.
A promise of peace
“Work must begin now to maintain this peace,” he said, adding that “children and families must return safely to their communities, especially for displaced people living in shelters.”
“The protection of children and their families must be at the center of all efforts to stabilize the situation and to restore it.”
Catherine Russell stressed that access and security of life-saving humanitarian aid must be ensured to ensure the uninterrupted flow of supplies… especially in southern Lebanon, where the need is greatest.
Calling Doctor Tadros
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), welcomed the ceasefire, called for its immediate implementation and highlighted that the war was a “particular threat” to Lebanon’s health system.
According to UNICEF, the war has destroyed many homes and hospitals, forced more than 2 million children out of school, and many more are living without access to health care and other basic services.
“This ceasefire is an opportunity not only to end the violence, but to create a path that prioritizes the safety and well-being of children and families,” said Catherine Russell.
“We call on all parties to live up to their commitments, respect international law and work with the international community to maintain peace and ensure a brighter future for children,” he said.