The UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR) says the number of people returning to Lebanon from Syria is gathering pace since the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah last week, Al Jazeera reports.

It said between November 27 and 29, some 15,000 people crossed back into Lebanon through the Jdaidat Yabous border post, while more than 11,000 people returned through the Joussieh border post.

These are the only two functioning border crossings since Israeli forces attacked the posts at Daboussieh, Jisr Al Kamar and Al Arida, according to the agency.

Most of those who returned were Lebanese seeking to go back home.

Many of them expressed their strong desire to return home even if their houses had been destroyed, the UNHCR said.