Coverage Overview

Tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese families are returning to their homes in southern Lebanon despite ongoing reports of Israeli shelling and home demolitions, according to Al Jazeera correspondents on the ground. The returns come as a 10-day ceasefire, which took effect on Thursday night, remains fragile with reports of continued Israeli military operations.

Key Claims

  • Returns amid attacks: Families are streaming south, loaded with belongings, to check on their homes, even as Israeli bulldozers continue demolition and land-clearing operations in several areas of southern Lebanon.
  • Scale of destruction: A preliminary assessment by Lebanese authorities, conducted before the truce, found that nearly 40,000 homes had been destroyed or damaged, with Beirut's southern suburbs among the worst-hit areas.
  • Casualties and displacement: Over 1.1 million people have been forced from their homes due to Israeli attacks, and more than 1,300 people, including 120 children, have been killed in the latest wave of violence.
  • Infrastructure damage: The destruction of key infrastructure, particularly bridges and access routes, is contributing to the growing isolation of southern Lebanon.
  • Humanitarian strain: Aid groups are struggling to provide adequate support due to reduced humanitarian funding, and living conditions in shelters are deteriorating, with reports of water leaks, gastrointestinal illnesses, and eye infections.
  • Israeli position: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the area between the security zone and the Litani River had not yet been cleared of fighters and 'weapons'.
  • Diplomatic outlook: Talks between Lebanon and Israel are expected to resume in the coming days.

Perspectives

Humanitarian impact

The humanitarian situation remains dire. Displaced families describe the uncertainty of returning to homes that may be destroyed or uninhabitable. Aymane Malli, a 49-year-old father of five from Habbouch, told Al Jazeera: "We wait. Maybe one day everything will end, and we can return home … if we can return home. We don't have another choice." Aid workers report worsening conditions in shelters, with water leaks and illness spreading.

Security and political dimensions

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the area between the security zone and the Litani River had not yet been cleared of fighters and 'weapons', indicating ongoing security concerns. The ceasefire, which took effect after 46 days of intensified attacks, remains shaky, and Israeli warnings against returning to parts of southern Lebanon have added to the uncertainty.

Regional and international factors

Efforts to stabilize the region are ongoing, with talks between Lebanon and Israel expected to resume. The United Nations has documented more than 10,000 ceasefire violations since a previous truce in late November 2024, according to Al Jazeera. The international community has called for adherence to the ceasefire, but the situation on the ground remains volatile.

Reporting Notes

This article draws exclusively on reporting from Al Jazeera, which provided detailed on-the-ground accounts from southern Lebanon and Beirut. While multiple angles are covered, the perspectives presented here are based on a single outlet's reporting; corroboration from other sources is not yet available. Figures for casualties and displacement are preliminary and subject to change.