Smoke rising from the rubble of multistory buildings in Beirut. Rockets streaking over the blackened hills of northern Israel. People fleeing their homes, not knowing when or if they will return.
Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah began a ceasefire Wednesday, but even if it holds, the devastation caused by 14 months of fighting will linger for years. Associated Press photographers have documented the harsh toll on both sides.
The border area is a charred wasteland, and an escalation in September brought waves of bombardment upon the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs and other areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence. Strikes also hit other areas.
Hezbollah's rocket, drone and missile fire emptied out communities across northern Israel, and longer-range drones and missiles have hit the northern city of Haifa and the outskirts of Tel Aviv.
Israel agreed to the ceasefire after months of negotiations led by the United States and France. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal. It took effect early Wednesday with a two-month initial halt in fighting. The deal requires Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops return to their side of the border.
Civilians on both sides will continue to pay the price — in the coming hours, months and years. In Lebanon, Israeli forces have blown up entire villages. In Israel, people returning to their homes in the north for the first time in more than a year may find that they have been heavily damaged. Others may never come back, fearing future attacks.
Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel the day after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. Hezbollah said it was acting in solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas, a fellow Iran-backed...
