A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah began after a final barrage of rockets struck northern Israel late Thursday night, wounding dozens and damaging buildings in Nahariya and Karmiel. By morning, the skies were quiet, but debris, shattered glass and the smell of smoke lingered in Nahariya, where residents surveyed the damage to a community center and nearby kindergarten.

Despite the relative calm, many locals expressed skepticism and frustration. Some criticized the agreement, saying it was decided in Washington while communities in the north paid the price in injuries, destroyed homes and ongoing fear. Residents voiced doubts that the truce would last, with several saying they feared another round of violence was inevitable.

Others balanced grief and uncertainty with resilience. Shoppers returned to stores, volunteers handed out flags ahead of Independence Day, and small gestures of solidarity offered moments of relief. While some residents said they were not naive about the prospects for lasting peace, a few expressed cautious optimism that the ceasefire might bring a temporary reprieve from months of relentless rocket fire.