Voices: Views on the ceasefire

After more than a month of conflict, Israelis and Lebanese give their reaction to the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

NATALIE EL JNEINATI, BUSINESSWOMAN, BEIRUT, LEBANON

"I am lucky. I have a home and a job."

I am definitely not optimistic this ceasefire will last.

We didn't know why the war started, so how should we know that it's going to end?

Some people have already started to move south. It's a bit scary because it's so soon.

People are leaving on buses. They don't have much luggage; when they left they didn't have time to take much with them.

These people don't even know if they've got houses to go back to.

Now that the world knows what is going on - and has seen the damage - I think this will help us find a solution in the near future.

But we haven't got a solution yet. What they started fighting for is not over.

The way we view Hezbollah is complicated. Nobody talks about it. Some people approve of Hezbollah but don't want the war.

I think we were all shocked by the weapons Hezbollah has. We underestimated the situation at the start.

I am lucky. I have a home and a job. I'm still living my life.

So many people's lives have changed.

DR NIMROD RAHAMIMOV, NAHARIYA, ISRAEL

"I don't think any problem has been solved"

Up until now it's been quiet. We had air raid sirens at about seven this morning, but no rockets.

The contrast from the previous two days is dramatic.

Nahariya saw the first civilian casualty of the conflict. A lady was having coffee on her balcony, on the third or fourth floor of the building, when the rocket hit.

I hope the ceasefire will last, but I'm sceptical. I don't think any problem has been solved.

A lot of people died, a lot of property was ruined. Now both sides are just taking a deep breath before the next round.

The basic problems remain. Lebanon is controlled by a terrorist organisation. Hezbollah has its private army which can attack a neighbouring country - with which Lebanon has absolutely no dispute.

There should be changes in the government and the military command

I am also sceptical about the UN resolution. I've read it thoroughly. No one is capable or willing to disarm Hezbollah.

Everyone was stunned that we didn't finish Hezbollah off as we expected. This has to be investigated.

I think there should be changes both in government and in the military command.

KASSEM JOUNI, AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE, BEIRUT, LEBANON

Hezbollah activists have handed out posters claiming victory

I am from the south of Lebanon. I was in Ghazieh when the war started.

I went to help out. We managed to distribute food to the south even after Israel bombed roads and bridges. We used agricultural routes.

Now I'm just north of Beirut. It's amazing.

You can see people going south, they're screaming "Go Lebanon! We're going home!"

I'm so happy the ceasefire happened. But I'm so afraid the Israelis will bomb people. They are still on our land.

Israel achieved nothing. Her goal was to get back the two soldiers, but she didn't get them.

Hezbollah has gained authority in Lebanon. It has united the Lebanese people.

Israel cannot stop Hezbollah.

Hezbollah is made of Lebanese people, they are not Iranian or Syrian as Israel claims. And we Lebanese people pay for Hezbollah; even though the USA and Israel say it's paid for by others.

I hope to return to my village tomorrow.

RONEN SHAMIR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY, ISRAEL

"A redundant war that could have been avoided."

It's a very confusing predicament. The way it has been done leaves a strong sense that it was a mistake to go to war.

Firstly, the declaration that the war was to release the soldiers. Now they are going to negotiate the release - but they could have done that before.

Crushing Hezbollah also didn't succeed for sure. Israel failed in its military goals. Hezbollah is not going to capitulate.

For a whole month many people were killed. A lot of territory was destroyed. A redundant war that could have been avoided. Nobody's celebrating, I can tell you that.

There will be local skirmishes. It's the story of our life: no peace, no borders, a wall of separation. It's only a patch on a patch.

I think there will be a political earthquake. I think the public will think the force wasn't strong enough. Great, huh?

I know I represent a very tiny minority. I am post-Zionist; I think Zionism in its current phase has to come to terms with the tragic consequences of its project. For example, the Palestinian problem.

We need to share this land full and genuinely. Until we do, we will be in a state of war.

You don't need to be a prophet to see this.