Trump-Iran Deal: Lebanese Citizens Begin Returning Home Amid Ongoing Tensions

Just hours after US President Donald Trump announced a deal to end tensions with Iran, thousands of displaced families in Lebanon began returning to their homes on Monday (15/6/2026). This marks the second wave of returns since active combat between Hezbollah and Israel reignited in early March.

Despite the cautious optimism among war-weary Lebanese civilians, the situation on the ground remains tense. Israel has firmly stated it will maintain a military buffer zone in southern Lebanon and has vowed to continue strikes against Hezbollah positions.

The return of residents reflects a hope that the US-Iran agreement will not only be finalised but will also compel Israel to honour provisions that include Lebanon in the ceasefire arrangement. Tyre Mayor Hassan Dbouk noted that those returning on Monday primarily wanted to check if their homes were still standing. "Residents now hope President Trump will intervene to stop Israel’s actions. If it is left to Israel, they will finish us all off," Dbouk told The Washington Post.

The peace deal has faced widespread criticism within Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz asserted that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will remain in the southern Lebanon buffer zone indefinitely.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, welcomed the agreement between Iran and the United States. The group urged the Lebanese government to reconsider direct talks with Israel and to rely more on Iran as a true friend to safeguard national interests.

The last three months of fighting have left deep scars on Lebanon. Beyond thousands of casualties, economic losses have reached billions of dollars, with massive infrastructure destruction in the southern region and the suburbs of Beirut.

Although the ceasefire appears to be holding in major cities, reports of drone strikes and artillery fire near the Israeli border continued on Monday morning. The Lebanese Army urged residents to avoid approaching border towns and to immediately report any unexploded ordnance.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that talks with Israel in Washington will continue, with the primary goal of securing a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese sovereign territory.