Grim homecoming: Devastation greets Lebanon’s war-weary returnees
Lebanese Families Face Difficult Return Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Grim homecoming - Communities across Lebanon are experiencing a bittersweet moment as displaced families begin returning to their homes following the recent ceasefire agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv. According to UN peacekeepers who issued a statement on Wednesday, while hostilities have significantly decreased between Hezbollah and the Israeli military—conflict that was intensified by the broader Iran-Israel-US war—the path forward remains complicated for many residents.
Although heavy fighting has diminished along the Blue Line, which serves as the boundary separating Lebanon from Israel, ceasefire violations continue to surface. Clashes between Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops persist, representing an escalation that commenced shortly after Israeli and American bombing campaigns against Iran began on February 28.
UNIFIL's Continued Mission
Operating under its Security Council mandate, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon maintains its commitment to fostering long-term security and stability for regional populations. Kandice Ardiel, the organization's spokesperson, provided insight into current conditions.
"The level of violence has been reduced, but we continue to record a number of violations of Resolution 1701 on a daily basis," said UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel.
She further explained that peacekeepers are actively working through liaison and coordination mechanisms to strengthen the stability improvements observed and to sustain efforts benefiting all communities situated along the Blue Line.
Challenges Facing Returnees
The decline in combat operations has allowed numerous Lebanese families to journey back to their southern residences, yet substantial obstacles persist. In numerous villages and urban centers, including Majdal Zoun, Kafra, and Tyre, intense shelling has left visible marks on the landscape. Residential buildings, educational institutions, and medical facilities stand in various states of ruin.
Regarding the Israeli military's "Yellow Line"—a buffer zone positioned approximately five to 10 kilometres (3.1 to 6.2 miles) north of the Blue Line—Ms. Ardiel clarified that this represents a self-declared military boundary created by the Israel Defense Forces that lacks recognition from the United Nations.
"For the United Nations and UNIFIL, the Blue Line is the only relevant line," she said. "Any Israeli presence north of the Blue Line is considered a violation of Resolution 1701."
UNIFIL reports that Israeli forces maintain operations in territories north of the Blue Line, where peacekeepers observe military movements and consistently encourage all involved parties to maintain recent stability achievements.
Building Stability Together
Throughout the Blue Line region, particularly in southern Lebanon, conditions remain exceptionally difficult for families. Ms. Ardiel highlighted a recent surge in returnees following several displacement waves throughout 2023, 2024, and the current year. Many households, she noted, encounter a "very different scenario" compared to what they departed.
"They are coming back to destroyed villages," Ms. Ardiel explained. "People are trying to rebuild their lives but are facing enormous challenges, including damaged infrastructure and limited access to water, electricity, hospitals and schools."
Some individuals still cannot reach villages positioned nearer to the Blue Line due to persistent security concerns.
Despite these hardships, UNIFIL persists in supporting local communities through various initiatives. The organization has organized blood donation drives to assist Marjayoun Hospital in treating trauma patients and has contributed children's toys and additional supplies to the Istanbouli Theatre in Tyre.
"We're here as peacekeepers. We're here to help build and consolidate stability," Ms. Ardiel stressed. "We liaise and coordinate between the parties to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian actors and municipal authorities carrying out infrastructure repairs. We're clearing roads, removing unexploded ordnance and helping create conditions for people to return safely to their communities."
When questioned about UNIFIL's operational freedom, Ardiel confirmed that patrols and monitoring activities proceed normally, though certain impediments occasionally arise. These include debris and rubble obstructing thoroughfares, alongside unexploded ordnance requiring clearance before peacekeepers can advance.
"In some cases, we have also been blocked by Israeli forces, whether through checkpoints, tanks or other military vehicles," she explained. "These incidents are usually short-lived."
Ms. Ardiel emphasized that such restrictions have not hindered UNIFIL's ability to execute its mandate.
"We remind everyone that peacekeepers have freedom of movement," she concluded. "We have a job to do, and we must be able to do it effectively and impartially."