Lebanon President: Nation 'No Longer a Pawn' as Ceasefire Holds

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared that Lebanon was 'no longer a pawn' in a broader regional conflict as the 10-day ceasefire with Israel held on its first full day. Displaced Lebanese continued returning home, finding severe destruction in southern villages and Beirut's southern suburbs. Lebanon's Health Ministry confirmed the Lebanon death toll had risen to 2,196+ killed since the conflict began, including 130+ children, with over 1 million still displaced. Israeli forces remained deployed south of the Litani River, with the IDF warning residents not to move south of the river. Some residents expressed deep skepticism the ceasefire would hold, citing prior broken agreements.