Lebanese Civilians Return Home Following US-Brokered Agreement With Israel

A Lebanese couple has returned to their heavily damaged village in southern Lebanon, searching through the remains of their home and preparing to rebuild their lives after a US-brokered agreement between Israel and Lebanon led to the Lebanese army taking control of several areas previously held by Israeli forces. Mahasen Faqih and her husband fled north in early March following the escalation of the latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict. This week, they returned to Zawtar al-Gharbieh, one of three areas included in a “pilot zones” arrangement under which Israel agreed to withdraw in exchange for steps towards the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

Their home, like many others in the village, has been severely damaged and is currently uninhabitable. Despite the destruction, Faqih said the couple intends to remain in their village and will temporarily live in their large grocery shop while waiting for their damaged house to be demolished and rebuilt. “Zawtar is our small homeland, and we are very happy,” Faqih, 58, said. “We will sleep here to tell the Israelis that we will stay in our land and will not leave it, no matter what happens.” The couple’s return reflects the challenges facing thousands of Lebanese residents displaced during the conflict.

Many returning families have found their homes destroyed or damaged, with limited access to basic services and uncertainty over reconstruction efforts. According to Zawtar al-Gharbieh Mayor Abed Ezzeldine, only around 15 families have returned to the village since the Lebanese army took control of the area. Nearly half of the village’s approximately 500 homes have reportedly been destroyed, while many others have suffered significant damage. The destruction in southern Lebanon has become one of the most visible consequences of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Israeli forces had destroyed 24 centuries-old villages and between 15,000 and 20,000 houses in Lebanon during the fighting, according to a television interview. The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks towards Israel following a wider regional escalation involving Israel, the United States and Iran. Israel subsequently launched military operations inside Lebanon and occupied several villages along the southern border.

The US-brokered agreement aims to reduce tensions by expanding Lebanese army control in southern Lebanon and addressing security concerns along the border. However, the arrangement has faced opposition from Hezbollah, which has criticised both the terms of the agreement and direct talks between Lebanon and Israel. Israel and Lebanon have technically remained in a state of war since Israel’s establishment in 1948, despite periods of ceasefire and international efforts to maintain stability along their shared border. The latest agreement represents one of the most significant diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation.

For residents returning to villages such as Zawtar al-Gharbieh, the immediate priority remains rebuilding homes and restoring normal life. Many families are returning despite widespread damage, driven by their connection to their communities and determination to remain on their land. As reconstruction efforts begin, questions remain over funding, security arrangements and the long-term political impact of the agreement. The return of displaced families marks an important step towards recovery, but the scale of destruction means rebuilding southern Lebanon is expected to be a lengthy and difficult process.

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