Beirut — Hours after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect, Lebanon woke up to the sound of celebratory gunfire instead of Israeli airstrikes and drones buzzing overhead.

Twisted rebar poked out of piles of rubble and broken masonry. "These buildings can be rebuilt. They’re not important. But our loved ones, friends, neighbours, companions, people. The homeland has been destroyed,