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 went into effect at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday morning after Israel's Cabinet approved the U.S.-backed proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah after prolonged negotiations.