Since November 27, 2024, a ceasefire has been officially in place between Israel and Lebanon, marking the end of large-scale hostilities after months of intense confrontation. On paper, the agreement was meant to bring relief to civilians, allow displaced populations to return home, and open the way for reconstruction. In practice, however, the lives of many Lebanese—particularly in the south—remain marked by fear, loss, and uncertainty.
This article examines what the ceasefire has meant on the ground for civilians. It traces the timeline of the ceasefire and analyzes how its repeated violations continue to affect civilian lives long after the guns were supposed to go silent.
At Baynetna, we believe that to understand a conflict, we must center those who live with its daily consequences. By basing this analysis on verified sources and human experiences, we aim to shed light on how a ceasefire that exists in name—but not fully in practice—continues to shape the social, psychological, and material realities of Lebanese civilians.
From escalation to ceasefire: a brief chronology
The current ceasefire cannot be understood without placing it in the longer trajectory of escalation that began long before its announcement. The confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah did not erupt suddenly in late 2024; it unfolded over more than a year, progressively drawing civilians into its orbit.
The initiation of low-intensity hostilities
The opening of the Lebanese front dates back to October 8, 2023, the day after Hamas’s attack on southern Israel. In the weeks that followed, exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli military became increasingly frequent along the Blue Line—the UN-drawn line separating Lebanon and Israel, established in 2000 to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. While initially limited, these attacks quickly began to affect border villages in southern Lebanon, causing the first waves of civilian displacement.
Throughout 2023 and the first half of 2024, the conflict entered a prolonged phase of sustained but relatively contained violence. Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire continued to target areas of southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah maintained cross-border attacks. Civilians living near the border were forced to adapt to a state of constant insecurity, with many leaving their homes as a precaution rather than as a result of direct destruction.
A sudden and dramatic escalation
The situation deteriorated sharply in September 2024, marking a decisive turning point in the conflict. On September 23, 2024, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive in southern Lebanon, accompanied by intensive airstrikes across multiple regions. The escalation resulted in massive destruction, significant civilian casualties, and large-scale population displacements. Entire villages were emptied as residents fled bombardments and ground operations.
By early October 2024, Israeli forces conducted limited ground incursions into southern Lebanese territory, with fighting reported in several border towns. Simultaneously, airstrikes expanded beyond the south, including attacks on densely populated areas such as Beirut. At this stage, the conflict had moved entirely beyond the border zone, deepening civilians’ fears of an all-out war.
An official end to large-scale hostilities?
After weeks of intense fighting, a ceasefire agreement was reached on November 26, 2024, with the truce taking effect the following day, November 27, 2024. The agreement was presented as a turning point: an end to major hostilities, a path for the return of displaced civilians, and a first step toward stabilization.
Yet, while the ceasefire formally ended large-scale military confrontation, it did not mark a clean break from violence. In the months that followed, military activity continued at a lower intensity, setting the stage for a fragile and contested post-ceasefire reality—one in which civilians would remain directly exposed to insecurity, loss, and barriers to reconstruction.
Ground incursions and civilian disappearances
Despite the ceasefire taking effect in late November 2024, Israeli military activity on Lebanese territory did not fully stop. In the months that followed, multiple incursions were reported in southern Lebanon, particularly in border areas where civilians were attempting to reach their villages after prolonged displacement.
Israeli forces continued to enter Lebanese territory, maintaining a military presence in certain areas and restricting civilian movement. These incursions created a climate of uncertainty and fear, especially for residents who believed the ceasefire would mark a clear end to military operations. For many, the distinction between “wartime” and “post-ceasefire” became increasingly blurred.
Civilians trapped while attempting to return home
One of the most striking consequences of these incursions has been their impact on civilians seeking to reach their homes. Following the ceasefire, displaced residents began cautiously moving back toward their villages, often to assess damage or retrieve belongings. Several of these attempts ended tragically.
The New Arab documented cases of Lebanese civilians missing or detained near the border while trying to return home. These incidents highlight how the post-ceasefire environment remained highly dangerous, particularly in areas where military forces continued to operate without clear mechanisms for civilian protection.
Civilian disappearances and detentions
At least 42 Lebanese civilians are currently reported missing, with 23 confirmed as being held by Israel. These individuals include civilians who disappeared during or after incursions, as well as those detained near the border under unclear circumstances.
Among these cases is a Lebanese naval captain abducted during an Israeli naval commando raid in the northern coastal town of Batroun, highlighting that detentions have not been limited to border areas but have also taken place far from the front lines.
The lack of transparent information regarding their whereabouts has left families in a prolonged state of agony. In many cases, relatives have received no official confirmation, no legal clarification, and no timeline for a release or investigation. This lack of accountability deepens the humanitarian impact of the conflict long after active fighting has subsided.
The psychological toll on families and communities
Beyond the immediate security implications, the issue of missing civilians carries a heavy psychological and social cost. Families are left in a state of limbo between hope and fear, unable to grieve, rebuild, or move forward. Communities in southern Lebanon describe a lingering sense of vulnerability, reinforced by the fact that civilians can still disappear even after a ceasefire has been declared.
In this context, the continued presence of military forces and the absence of clear guarantees for civilian safety undermine trust in the ceasefire itself. For the affected populations, peace remains conditional, fragile, and deeply uncertain.
Airstrikes and civilian casualties
At another level, airstrikes have continued to affect several regions of Lebanon. Rather than marking a clean end to aerial military operations, the post-ceasefire period has been characterized by recurring strikes that have kept civilian populations exposed to violence from above. These attacks have targeted different regions, including urban and semi-urban areas, reinforcing the sense that the ceasefire has not translated into meaningful protection for civilians on the ground.
Civilians killed and injured in aerial attacks
Airstrikes carried out after the ceasefire have resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians. In several documented incidents, civilians were killed during strikes that were not limited to isolated military areas. These casualties highlight the persistent risks faced by non-combatants even in areas far from active frontlines.
For families affected by these attacks, the distinction between wartime and post-war periods has become meaningless. The continued use of lethal force has made it clear that civilian lives remain vulnerable, regardless of formal political agreements.
Urban areas and residential damage
Some airstrikes have hit densely populated areas, causing damage to residential buildings and surrounding civilian infrastructure. Homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, leaving families bereaved, injured, or newly displaced.
In urban contexts, the impact of airstrikes is particularly severe. The proximity of homes, businesses, and public spaces amplifies the human cost, turning entire neighborhoods into places of fear and instability.
An example is the strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs targeting Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Haytham Tabtabai, which killed five civilians and injured 25 others.
The psychological weight of airpower
Beyond the physical destruction, the persistence of airstrikes has imposed a heavy psychological burden on civilians. The sound of aircraft overhead and the unpredictability of strikes have contributed to an atmosphere of constant anxiety, even during periods without direct attacks.
This sense of ongoing threat has disrupted daily life, delayed the return of displaced families, and hindered any meaningful process of recovery. In this context, airstrikes serve not only as acts of military force but also as a powerful mechanism of intimidation that shapes civilian life under a ceasefire that remains fragile and incomplete.
Destruction of civilian property and hindrance to reconstruction
Massive destruction of civilian homes and land
Beyond the immediate casualties, one of the most lasting impacts of the conflict has been the large-scale destruction of civilian property across southern Lebanon. Entire neighborhoods and villages have been rendered uninhabitable, with homes reduced to rubble and agricultural land deliberately damaged or made unusable.
This destruction was not limited to isolated incidents. A large number of residential structures were destroyed over a short period, turning civilian spaces into unlivable environments. For many families, the loss of their homes has meant prolonged displacement, a dependence on temporary shelters, and the collapse of livelihoods tied to land and property.
Destruction as a barrier to return
The destruction of homes has had a direct impact on civilians’ ability to return after the ceasefire. In many areas, the scale of the damage has made return physically impossible, even as active fighting subsided. Villages that once supported stable communities now lack basic infrastructure, including safe housing, roads, and access to services.
For displaced populations, the promise of return embedded in the ceasefire has remained largely unreachable. The lack of habitable structures has effectively prolonged displacement, turning what should have been a temporary condition into a reality with no clear end.
Targeting of reconstruction equipment
In the months following the ceasefire, reconstruction efforts themselves have come under attack. Heavy machinery used to clear rubble and rebuild homes—including bulldozers, excavators, and construction vehicles—has been destroyed while operating in civilian areas.
These attacks have not only damaged equipment but have also injured civilians involved in reconstruction work. By targeting the very tools needed to restore basic living conditions, such actions have hindered recovery and sent a clear message: rebuilding remains dangerous.
Legal and humanitarian implications
The deliberate destruction of civilian property and reconstruction equipment raises serious legal and humanitarian concerns. Homes, land, and civilian infrastructure are protected under international humanitarian law, particularly when they are not being used for military purposes.
When destruction continues after a ceasefire, its impact is multiplied: civilians are denied both safety and recovery. The result is a prolonged humanitarian crisis in which displacement persists, economic recovery stagnates, and trust in the ceasefire framework further erodes.
A ceasefire without security
More than a year after the escalation began, and months after a ceasefire was officially declared, the reality for many civilians in Lebanon remains defined by insecurity rather than peace. While the agreement was intended to end the violence and allow for a return to normal life, repeated violations have undermined its credibility and effectiveness. Thousands of infractions have been recorded since the ceasefire took effect, transforming what should have been a framework for stabilization into a fragile and largely symbolic arrangement.
For civilians, the consequences are tangible and cumulative. Ground incursions, airstrikes, disappearances, and the destruction of homes and reconstruction equipment have extended the harms of the conflict far beyond active combat. Displacement has persisted, returns have been delayed or made impossible, and fear has become a constant presence in daily life, particularly in southern Lebanon.
This pattern reveals a deeper failure of the ceasefire: its inability to protect civilians and create the conditions necessary for recovery. When violence continues, even intermittently, and when reconstruction itself is dangerous, the line between war and post-war collapses. The ceasefire exists in form, but not fully in substance.
At Baynetna, we believe that evaluating a ceasefire requires looking beyond diplomatic statements and military calculations. Its success must be measured by its impact on civilian lives—on safety, dignity, and the ability to rebuild. Until these conditions are met, the ceasefire will remain incomplete, and the burden of its shortcomings will continue to fall, above all, on civilians.
Sources :
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/12/15/lebanon-israel-unlawfully-destroying-reconstruction-equipment
https://www.newarab.com/news/42-lebanese-missing-23-captured-israel-prisoners-group
