Thursday Briefing

A fragile peace began in Lebanon

Thousands of civilians began to return to war-ravaged communities around Beirut and in southern Lebanon yesterday, as a U.S.-backed cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah took tenuous hold after more than 13 months of bloodshed. About one-quarter of Lebanon’s more than five million people had been forced from their homes by the war.

In northern Israel, where tens of thousands of people had fled to escape barrages of Hezbollah rockets and drones, there was no apparent rush back to the evacuated towns, where residents — and the Israeli authorities — were wary of the truce.

Many questions remain about the agreement’s durability, particularly in light of Israeli’s shelling of two villages in southern Lebanon, Khiam and Kfar Kila. Israel’s military said that its soldiers had opened fire after identifying a vehicle in “a zone prohibited for movement.” Here’s what else to know about the deal.

Analysis: After 13 months of war, Hezbollah will struggle to convince anyone other than its most fervent loyalists that its acceptance of a cease-fire is not a defeat.

In Gaza: The Israeli military struck dozens of sites that it said were Hamas military structures, killing at least 33 people, according to the Gazan Health Ministry.

I.C.C.: France’s Foreign Ministry strongly suggested that Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, would not immediately be arrested if he were to enter French territory, despite a warrant for his arrest.