By Lilian Mutua

As news of the ceasefire spread through Israel’s northern communities, sirens blared three times this evening, warning of incoming rockets from Lebanon.

In the sky above the northern city of Nahariya, Israel’s air defence interceptors shot up to block them, triggering loud explosions. Ambulance crews said at least three people were wounded by shrapnel in the hours before the ceasefire took effect, including two seriously.

On the ground here – and across the country – there’s scepticism about why Israel’s leader has signed up to the truce.

“I feel like the government lied to us,” said Gal, a student in Nahariya. “They promised that this time it would end differently, but it seems like we’re once again heading toward a ceasefire agreement that solves nothing.”

“We gave the Lebanese government a chance, and they failed to uphold the agreement; they didn’t disarm Hezbollah,” said Maor, a 32-year-old truck driver whose house was hit by a rocket last year.

“If we don’t do it, no one will. It’s a shame they stopped. It seemed like there were significant achievements this time.”