WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Thousands of people returned to their homes Wednesday in Lebanon, celebrating the first day of the ceasefire between Israel and the terror group Hezbollah.

The fighting displaced more than a million Lebanese citizens and tens of thousands of Israelis during the past 14 months.

“Compromise is always difficult, but I think the ceasefire was the right decision,” said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), during a trip to Israel. 

Graham also celebrated the truce, which calls for an initial two-month pause in fighting. He said he has a plan to help ensure a permanent outcome.

“To pass sanctions in the Congress signed by President Trump, hopefully, that would sanction any country that took action against Israel because we’re next,” Graham said.

The news of the ceasefire was bittersweet for the families of hostages who hoped an agreement would also lead to the release of their loved ones.

“We feel this is a missed opportunity,” said Ruby Chen, the father of deceased U.S.-Israeli hostage Itay Chen, whose body is still being held in Gaza.

However, President Joe Biden is hopeful the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire leads to one for the war in Gaza.

“We’re determined this conflict will not be just another cycle of violence,” President Biden said Tuesday at the White House when announcing the agreement. 

President Biden said the terror group Hamas has so far refused to negotiate in good faith on a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

“So now, Hamas has a choice to make,” President Biden said. 

The president said in the coming days, the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East will ramp up the pressure on Hamas even more to accept a deal with Israel.