Displaced Lebanese return to destroyed homes, businesses as war aftermath takes toll

Thousands of displaced Lebanese returning to southern villages after months of war are coming back not to normal life, but to destroyed homes, ruined businesses and entire neighborhoods scarred by Israeli bombardment. For a second consecutive day, roads leading to southern Lebanon witnessed heavy movement as families headed back to towns they fled during Israel's assault that began in March.

Devastation in Tyre

In Tyre district, dozens of residents found shops destroyed, homes heavily damaged, and years of work wiped out during months of Israeli strikes. In the village of Shaabiya, one returnee said the losses he suffered amount to tens of thousands of dollars after Israeli attacks damaged several commercial properties. "People were left alone to face all this destruction. We don't want wars. We want to rebuild our lives," he told Anadolu.

Lost livelihoods

Another resident said Israeli bombardment destroyed the home goods business that had supported his family for two decades. "My entire livelihood disappeared overnight. This was 20 years of work and exhaustion. Today, I have no work left." According to preliminary estimates, losses from Israel's latest assault on Lebanon have reached at least $5 billion.

Resistance and occupation

In Jouaiya, Hezbollah lawmaker Hussein Jishi accused Israel of pursuing a "scorched-earth policy" and vowed continued resistance. Despite the return of many families, several southern towns remain under Israeli occupation. Israel has been waging an offensive on Lebanon since March 2 that has left thousands killed and more than 1 million displaced.

Ceasefire context

The returns accelerated after a US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the war across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, with the accord expected to be formally signed in Geneva on June 19.