By Laila Bassam, Thomas Suen and Pesha Magid BEIRUT/QASMIYEH/JERUSALEM, Lebanon, April 17 (Reuters) - People uprooted by the war in Lebanon began returning to devastated towns and neighbourhoods on Friday,

Sen. John Fetterman says he is prepared to stand alone in his party in support of Israel, calling himself the last Democrat proud to stand with the ally.

Iran insists it will not open the strait until the US lifts the blockade, while Trump maintains it will stay until a deal is reached.

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to most commercial shipping traffic due to Iran's threats and despite an ongoing U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports aimed at forcing a reopening. The tanker gridlock is keeping global oil and gas prices high and keeping pressure on all parties to the conflict to find a solution.

Israel has established a “Yellow Line” in southern Lebanon and carried out strikes near the boundary, saying actions were taken against “immediate threats” despite a fragile ceasefire.

Lebanon's President Aoun will not speak with Netanyahu for now, a senior Lebanese official told Fox News Digital, dealing a setback to Trump's push for direct contact with Israel.

Trump had stern words for Israel as he made clear the US is in the driver’s seat for the 10-day cease-fire between the Jewish home state and Lebanon.