On the night of Tuesday, December 10, a powerful explosion rocked the Marjayoun region, leaving residents in uncertainty as its cause remained unclear.
By morning, it appeared that a family had attempted to discreetly return to their home in Khiam, defying Israeli army restrictions on approaching its positions along the border. Shortly after the father received a phone call from the Israeli army ordering them to leave, a drone strike was launched. The father was killed in the attack, leaving his family shattered and in deep mourning.
“I endured a horrific night with my two children, alone at home after losing my husband. Traumatized and unsure of what to do, I waited until morning to report the incident to the Lebanese Army at the nearby checkpoint,” recounted the widow, her voice trembling with fear.
Earlier this week, a woman who had returned alone to her home in Khiam following the ceasefire announcement, was forced to flee in haste, careful not to attract the attention of Israeli soldiers. The sound of military footsteps near her house, as she described, heightened her sense of fear and urgency.
These situations highlight the challenges faced by many who, despite the fragile ceasefire and ongoing insecurity, remain determined to return to their villages.
Will more people return, now that the Lebanese Army has entered Khiam, following the Israeli withdrawal from the village? This withdrawal is part of a 60-day truce agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv. The pullback from the village is just the first step.
A paramount step
The Lebanese Army deployed troops and armored vehicles on Thursday afternoon in Khiam, a strategically significant hotspot of fierce clashes between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli soldiers.
The regular forces are patrolling the region and have set up checkpoints, but the soldiers will not advance into areas still held by the Israeli army.
As part of the first phase of this deployment, coordinated with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) –particularly the Spanish contingent responsible for the Marjayoun region – and after consultations with the International Monitoring Committee, the Engineering Battalion of the Lebanese Army’s 7th Brigade, led by Brigadier General Tony Fares, entered Khiam with bulldozers to clear roads and conduct demining operations.
The operation began in the northern part of the village, specifically in the Jallahiyeh neighborhood, and continued through Mtal al-Jabal before reaching the Hamames Hill. Specialized military units will prioritize removing unexploded munitions and shells from the area.
The Army Command has urged residents to stay clear of the operation zones and follow military instructions until the deployment is fully completed.
“Despite the extensive destruction and our sorrow, we are happy that the army has entered Khiam and the surrounding area,” says Abou Samir, who recently learned that his home was destroyed by a bomb. “Even so, we feel as though we are starting anew,” he adds.
“We feel a greater sense of security now. The presence of our army in Khiam reassures us,” rejoices Sawsan.
The village’s Head of Municipality, Ali Alayan, expressed his unwavering support for the Lebanese Army deployment in the village, much of which had been devastated in the recent months of fighting. In a statement, he stressed the paramount role of the regular forces in “ensuring the security of the residents and restoring peace and stability to the area,” which had previously seen a significant Hezbollah presence.
He also emphasized the importance of cooperation between the armed forces and the local population in overcoming the current challenges, urging residents to closely follow the instructions of the military authorities. “The security of our community depends on our ability to join forces. I call on everyone to respect the directives issued by the Army and UNIFIL, as this will help ensure our collective security,” he stated.
This warning was issued in light of the ongoing security risks. Later in the afternoon, two people were killed and two others injured in an Israeli airstrike. One of the victims, a young man, had posted a video on social media showing himself walking through the ruined streets of Khiam, phone in hand, explaining his location and documenting the extent of the damage. This act may have cost him his life, as the video was published a few minutes before the strike.
Lingering concerns
The deployment of the Army in Khiam is widely viewed as a step toward a normalization in the region, yet for many, lingering concerns remain.
“With the ceasefire in place, I thought I could return home, even though my house is likely destroyed,” says Abou Hassan, who has been displaced from Khiam for the past 13 months. While eager to return, he is still hesitant. “I can’t stay any longer with friends in Marjayoun. I'm a farmer and my olive trees are there,” he explains, relieved by the Army's deployment. “It’s good news, of course. We hope, with all our hearts, that peace will hold and that this ceasefire will last.”
Yet, the Israeli airstrike on a Khiam neighborhood earlier in the afternoon has undoubtedly tempered this optimism.
Security remains uncertain, and vital infrastructure is left in ruins.
“It’s been a year since we had to flee. I feel somewhat safer, now that the Army is in the village. I hope to return soon and resume my life as it was before. But I wonder if that will be enough. There’s still so much to be done,” says a mother, still staying in Marjayoun but closely monitoring the updates on the Army’s deployment.
The hope of returning to some semblance of normalcy is tangible for many. However, significant challenges remain, with the foremost being the need to ensure that the truce endures beyond the initial 60-day period.
Safety Measures Enforced by the Lebanese Army
— This is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) December 12, 2024
The Lebanese Army is working on opening roads, clearing rubble, unexploded ordnance, and aerial bombs. pic.twitter.com/zazUAKVqaJ
Comments