Why some southern Lebanese are staying in tents?

While some displaced residents from south Lebanon are choosing to sleep in tents as a form of protest against Israel’s ongoing occupation, demonstrating their commitment to their land, others have decided to start repairing a shelter with the bare minimum as they wait for promised reconstruction to begin. Many say they have not received sufficient aid from Hezbollah to cover the cost of rebuilding, especially in border villages where homes have been reduced to rubble.

Despite the ceasefire granting Israel until mid-February to withdraw from Lebanon, many refuse to see the extension as legitimate. Instead, they view the activism of southern Lebanese in their villages as the only way to pressure the Lebanese government and the international community to guarantee their return home.

While destruction dominates the landscape of the border villages in South Lebanon where entire buildings and shops are reduced to rubble, people have chosen to return to check on what remains of their homes and livelihoods, most of which have been lost. Some have decided to stay, holding on with the bare minimum.

Mariam spoke to NOW from her village Khiam, she expressed her grief, mixed emotions and relief of returning to her village. “We came on the 28th of January after we were displaced in Saida for over 2 months, we were counting down the days to return to our beloved village, but the moment we entered and walked around, the village felt strange, it completely had a different look.”

For Mariam and her family, there were feelings of a mix of sorrow and relief, anger and pain.

“Although we returned but we have nothing left standing, everything is destroyed and yet we have had not one individual from the representatives and political officials come and check on us to see if we need anything,” Mariam explained.

Mariam hopes that little by little, they might be able to reconstruct their home, but without financial support, it will be a huge challenge, she admitted.

“My husband suggested using steel panels to seal off what remains of our house so we could stay in the village and rebuild the grocery shop that sustains us. But it feels more like a tent, and with the house still exposed, it’s too cold for the children. So I refused to stay until proper reconstruction begins. I guess this is the price of victory.”

The Lebanese Army reaffirmed its dedication to enforcing UN Resolution 1701, which aims to maintain stability along the southern border. As part of this commitment, the army has been conducting operations in multiple areas across southern Lebanon, with a particular focus on regions south of the Litani River.

“These efforts include security patrols, monitoring potential threats, and ensuring compliance with the resolution’s terms to prevent further escalation in the area,” Explained a lieutenant in the Lebanese Amry from Hasbaya to NOW.

The ceasefire, which officially began on November 27, was originally scheduled to last for 60 days. However, it has since been extended and is now set to remain in effect at least until February 18.

“As part of the agreement, the Lebanese Army is tasked with gradually taking over security operations in the southern regions, ensuring stability and preventing further hostilities,” the lieutenant who wished to remain unnamed told NOW.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw in stages, reducing their presence in the area over time. This transition is a key component of the ceasefire’s implementation, aimed at restoring order and minimizing tensions along the border.

Many residents of South Lebanon remain unable to return to their homes after Israeli forces launched heavy bombardments and ground incursions into several areas.

In some villages, such as Kfarkela, Israeli troops have completely blocked access by setting up barbed wire, and military barricades, and stationed tanks at key entry points.

As a result, groups of displaced men have set up makeshift tents several kilometres away from their villages, waiting for an opportunity to go back.

Ali Khamis, a 26-year-old engineering graduate, spoke to NOW from Yaroun, a village in the Bint Jbeil district. He and a group of men from the village decided to set up a tent at the entrance, waiting until the Israeli occupation’s withdrawal. “Our homes are just a few steps away, but the occupation prevents us from returning. We are determined to stay here, even if it means enduring hardship and risking our lives because our land is everything to us.”

Where is the financial aid?

According to the Associated Press, many displaced Lebanese whose homes were destroyed in the fighting want to rebuild but reconstruction and compensation are slow in coming.

Hezbollah’ Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, reaffirmed in one of his post-war speeches that “The resistance remains” emphasizing that the party has regained its cohesion. He also announced compensation plans for homeowners whose properties were damaged or destroyed, including financial aid for furniture and rent, however, he made no mention of reconstruction efforts, instead shifting that responsibility to the government and calling on Arab nations to offer assistance.

“The government is responsible for clearing the rubble, addressing infrastructure issues, and developing a program for the cost of repairing homes and reconstruction.” The Secretary-General also added.

However, the Lebanese government, already financially strained and long paralyzed by political deadlock, is in no position to offer significant support to the people affected by the war.

He announced that they would provide between $6,000 and $8,000 to homeowners whose houses were destroyed, to help them rent homes for a year.

However, some people have reported receiving financial aid from the group has been slow and daunting with the amount being far less than what is needed to cover the full extent of the damage to their homes and property, and some are facing a renting crisis with limited property and over-priced rent.

Rodayna Raydan is a Lebanese-British journalist. You can follow her on Twitter @Rodayna_462

The views in this story reflect those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of NOW.