Lebanese Residents Come Back to Discover Their Homes Destroyed Near the Israeli Border

Lebanese farmer and part-time minibus driver, Abdallah Abdallah, returned to his village near the Israeli border on Saturday, only to find his house heavily damaged and his tractor destroyed due to the recent bombing.

Abdallah, 50, lamented the destruction, citing Israel’s history of targeting civilian areas. His home in Aitaroun, located near an Israeli military post, now bears the scars of conflict, with significant damage evident in its structure.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been a hotspot of intensified conflict since October 7, primarily involving Israel and Hezbollah, but also Palestinian groups. This has raised concerns about the possibility of a wider conflict.

Having fled the area when the skirmishes started, Abdallah and others cautiously returned to assess the damage, amidst the continuous presence of Israeli surveillance drones.

Most residents in the border area expressed reluctance to stay, fearing a resurgence of violence after the recent four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

A source close to Hezbollah stated that the group would respect the ceasefire as long as Israel did. Abdallah’s losses include not only his tractor but also a van he used for transporting local children to school.

The conflict has inflicted severe damage across south Lebanon, with homes showing broken windows, damaged walls, and uprooted doors. Hezbollah has honored its fallen fighters in some villages with banners.

In the recent cross-border exchanges, at least 109 people have died in Lebanon, including 77 Hezbollah fighters and 14 civilians, as per an AFP tally.

The International Organization for Migration reports that more than 55,000 people, primarily from south Lebanon, have fled their homes since the hostilities began.

In Mays al-Jabal, resident Fatima Taha was relieved to find her home mostly intact, though she shares the widespread fear of renewed conflict. She noted that some people returned only for the olive harvest but are hesitant to stay permanently.

Authorities have advised against using roads close to Israeli positions and warned farmers about the dangers of harvesting olives near the border, citing concerns about Israel’s alleged use of white phosphorus.

In Kfarkila, Yahya Ahmad, 62, plans to repair his cafe, which sustained significant damage. Despite the risks, he is determined to stay, asserting his connection to his homeland.

In one village, visitors posed for photos against a backdrop that reflects the tense border situation.

Abdallah Quteish, a retired school principal, and his wife Sabah, returned to their home in Houla after staying with their daughter in the north. They missed the olive harvest but are grateful to be safe and hope to stay in their home if the situation remains stable.

Others, like Khalil Ghanam from Marwahin, are less optimistic. Ghanam has decided to move his cafe’s remaining stock to Beirut, anticipating a prolonged difficult period ahead.

In Kfarkila, iron worker Hussein Fawaz is staying put despite the destruction of his home by an airstrike. He has sent his family away for safety but remains to care for his elderly parents.

The ceasefire, while generally calm, has seen moments of tension, with the Israeli military reporting the interception of an aerial target from Lebanon and the downing of a missile launched at an Israeli drone.