Displaced Lebanese families have begun returning to their towns in southern Lebanon following the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces under a U.S.-brokered security agreement.
Residents entering the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh found widespread destruction, with many homes heavily damaged or completely destroyed after months of fighting. Streets remained filled with rubble as families searched through the remains of their properties for personal belongings.
The Lebanese Army has deployed to the area as part of the first phase of the agreement, while engineering teams continue clearing unexploded ordnance and assessing damaged infrastructure before larger numbers of residents are allowed to return.
Lebanese officials say rebuilding affected communities will require significant international support, with extensive damage reported to residential neighborhoods, public infrastructure, and essential services.
President Joseph Aoun has called for continued international backing to help restore stability in southern Lebanon and complete the withdrawal process under the framework agreement.
Despite the progress, tensions remain high. Israeli forces continue to maintain positions in other parts of southern Lebanon, while the Lebanese military says ongoing security incidents and unexploded munitions continue to delay the safe return of civilians in several locations.
Thousands of families remain displaced, with many waiting for security clearances before they can return to assess the condition of their homes. Humanitarian agencies say reconstruction and recovery efforts are expected to take months as communities begin rebuilding after the latest round of conflict.
