STORY: Displaced people drove past the mangled remains of the Qasmiyeh bridge on a dusty makeshift crossing carrying their belongings - and a fragile hope - as they returned to their devastated towns and neighbourhoods in southern Lebanon on April 18 (Saturday) on the second day of a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday (April 17) that the United States had banned Israel from further bombing in Lebanon, a day after he announced the 10-day ceasefire. The agreement between Lebanon and Israel has added to optimism that the parallel war between the United States and Iran could be nearing an end.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that a ceasefire agreed to by his country should be transformed into "permanent agreements".

Iran-backed Hezbollah, which operates independently of the Lebanese state, has said it maintains "the right to resist."

While Trump says Lebanon and Israel will work towards a longer-term deal, the ceasefire leaves big questions. Notably, it does not demand Israel withdraw soldiers occupying parts of the south, where Israel's defence minister said Israeli troops would continue to demolish homes he claimed were being used by Hezbollah.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: QASMIYEH, LEBANON (APRIL 18, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. MOTORIST SHOWS V-SIGN WHILE RIDING / DEBRIS OF BRIDGE / VEHICLES DRIVING ACROSS MAKESHIFT CROSSING

2. UNIFIL PEACEKEEPERS STANDING AS LINE OF VEHICLES MOVE ALONG

3. VEHICLES DRIVING PAST

4. UNIFIL PEACEKEEPERS WALKING ALONG MAKESHIFT CROSSING

5. PEOPLE IN CAR WAVING FLAGS

6. LINE OF VEHICLES MOVING ALONG

7. PEOPLE IN CAR SHOWING V-SIGN

8. WOMEN WALKING PAST MOVING CARS / WOMAN HOLDING FLAG

9. MAN STANDING ON MOVING VEHICLE WITH HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

10. PEOPLE IN VEHICLES WAVING FLAGS / LINE OF VEHICLES MOVING ALONG

11. GIRLS WALKING NEXT TO LINE OF MOVING VEHICLES