In recent developments, Lebanese leaders have reached out to both the United States and France, urging them to compel Israel to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Their characterization of Israel’s presence in several key areas as an “occupation” underscores the gravity of the situation following the expiration of a ceasefire deadline.
The United Nations has labeled the incomplete withdrawal as a breach of a Security Council resolution. While many displaced individuals are slowly returning to their homes in the border villages, the wreckage from over a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah remains stark. Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins, a testament to the lengthy hostilities that culminated in the ceasefire agreement.
President Joseph Aoun has called for renewed efforts from US and French officials to ensure that Israel fulfills its obligations under the agreement. The initial deadline set for late January has come and gone, with extensions proving insufficient. “Unity in pursuing a diplomatic solution is essential. Nobody desires a return to violent conflict,” Mr. Aoun stated, reflecting a sentiment echoed by various officials. His commitment to diplomacy, rather than military confrontation, aims to foster peace in a region that has witnessed too much turmoil.
In a poignant display of resilience, many residents of Kfar Kila have begun returning to their homes, only to greet devastation. “The entire village has been reduced to rubble. It’s a disaster zone,” lamented Alaa al-Zein, who has witnessed the destruction firsthand. Residents are grappling not only with the physical toll but also with the emotional scars left by the conflict.
Israel’s decision to retain troops in five strategic locations near the border complicates matters further. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar indicated that Israeli forces would remain until Lebanon adheres to the stipulations of the agreement. Israel’s military has stated that their presence on key hilltops overlooking the border is a temporary measure, aimed at mitigating perceived threats.
With a notable shift in the situation, Lebanon’s armed forces have commenced deployment in eleven southern border villages, including those from which Israeli troops have exited. Interestingly, a report from the National News Agency reported a glimmer of hope: two individuals were found alive in Kfar Kila, three months after all contact was lost. These instances briefly shift the conversation from loss to survivorship, showing the tenacity of the human spirit.
UN envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, alongside the UNIFIL peacekeeping force, expressed their disappointment over the delay in Israel’s withdrawal and the Lebanese army’s deployment after the deadline. They reiterated that any holdup constitutes a breach of the Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict. The stakes are high, with the cost of reconstruction in Lebanon projected to exceed $10 billion, leaving over 100,000 individuals displaced, according to United Nations estimates.
Despite the overwhelming challenges that lie ahead, returning residents display a fierce determination to rebuild. Mr. Zein declared, “The whole village is returning; we will set up tents and sit on the ground if need be.” This highlights a shared commitment to re-establish their lives despite adverse circumstances. Yet, amidst the ruination, others have undertaken somber quests—searching for loved ones lost under the debris.
Samira Jumaa embodies this resolve. Having arrived early in the morning to find her brother, a Hezbollah fighter slain in Kfar Kila five months ago, she spoke with profound emotion. “We have not heard of them until now. We are certain they were martyred,” she shared, as she prepared to search for the remains of her brother and his comrades. Her journey underscores the personal toll of the conflict and the undying bond between family and land.
The destruction of Hezbollah strongholds across southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as in south Beirut, further illustrates the broad impact of this conflict. Initiated due to political alignments during Hamas’s war in Gaza, the hostilities have not only ravaged infrastructure but also shattered lives. The overarching tragedy of this narrative is something that resonates deeply within the hearts of those affected.
According to the terms of the ceasefire, Lebanon’s military was tasked with deploying alongside UN peacekeepers while Israeli troops were to withdraw over an initial 60-day period, later prolonged to February 18. Hezbollah was assigned the responsibility of pulling back north of the Litani River, around 30 kilometers from the border, and to dismantle any remaining military infrastructure.
To date, the human cost of this conflict has been staggering: over 4,000 lives lost in Lebanon since hostilities began in October, while Israeli casualties include 78 individuals, including soldiers. Reports suggest that fatalities in Lebanon have continued, high even during periods of truce, as residents tried to access their towns when the initial withdrawal deadline arrived.
In the backdrop of this turmoil, Irish peacekeepers from the 125th Infantry Battalion are on the ground, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in their redeployment to southern positions. In an official statement, the Defence Forces articulated, “This is a phased operation throughout the ceasefire as Israeli Defence Forces withdraw towards and south of the Blue Line. Many civilians are returning to southern towns.” With each act of solidarity, they contribute to the fragile thread of hope that weaves through this beleaguered country.
Against the backdrop of such enormous difficulty, the determination to rebuild and heal stands testament to the indomitable nature of the human spirit. As Lebanon faces the daunting path ahead, its people remain steadfast, each story a thread woven into the larger fabric of resilience.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
