Photos: Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire begins after a year of fighting

Border regions charred, Beirut bombarded and northern Israel empty as ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah commences.

Smoke rising from the rubble of multistorey 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 Hezbollah began a ceasefire on Wednesday, but even if it holds, the devastation caused by more than 13 months of fighting will linger for years.

The border area is a charred wasteland, and an escalation in September brought waves of bombardments upon the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs and other areas of Lebanon.

Hezbollah’s rocket, drone and missile fire emptied out communities across northern Israel, and longer-range drones and missiles 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 on Wednesday with an initial two-month halt in fighting. The deal requires Hezbollah to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon and Israeli troops to return to Israel.