Few residents return to Lebanon’s Nabatiyeh after a US-Iran truce with fighting nearby

Few Return to Lebanon’s Nabatiyeh as U.S.-Iran Truce Holds

Truce Sparks Cautious Reentry

Few residents return to Lebanon s Nabatiyeh - Residents of Lebanon’s Nabatiyeh have begun cautiously re-entering their city, offering a glimmer of hope amid ongoing conflict. Aida Jleilati and her daughter, Sukaina al-Muhtadi, were among the first to step into their damaged home, which was reduced to rubble by an Israeli airstrike in late May. Their return, however, is still tentative, as the city remains a battleground for forces beyond its borders. The U.S.-Iran truce, announced late Sunday, aims to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, yet fighting near Nabatiyeh continues to disrupt daily life.

The peace deal, brokered by U.S. diplomats, has not yet brought full stability to the region. While it halts direct hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed groups, skirmishes persist in the surrounding areas, keeping many families in limbo. For Nabatiyeh’s displaced residents, the truce provides a window to assess their properties, but the risk of renewed attacks looms large. Despite the agreement, the city’s infrastructure lies in ruins, and its people remain wary of the future, with few willing to fully commit to returning just yet.

Scenes of Devastation and Resilience

Walking through Nabatiyeh’s streets, the remnants of destruction speak volumes about the city’s struggle. Kamel al-Kamel, a 75-year-old shopkeeper, stood in front of his collapsed business, once a bustling supermarket and coffee roastery. The century-old structure, now smoldering, symbolizes the economic and cultural toll of the conflict. “Thank God we are still alive,” he said, his voice trembling as he recounted the day he first laid eyes on the ruins of his shop, still filled with debris from relentless strikes.

Al-Kamel estimates his losses at $2.5 million, describing the current war as the most devastating of his lifetime. From the 1975 civil war to Israel’s 1982 invasion and recent clashes, the city has endured cycles of violence. With no electricity, telephone, or internet service available, daily survival has become a challenge. Yet, in the face of hardship, residents like al-Kamel and Jleilati remain determined to rebuild, driven by a deep connection to their homeland and the prospect of a calmer future.

Human Cost and Emotional Toll

The war has taken a heavy toll on Nabatiyeh’s residents, leaving many grieving the loss of loved ones. Samar Zuraik, a local mother, clung to the hope that her surviving home would serve as a temporary shelter, though its walls bore the scars of shelling. She mourned the death of her son Ali, 27, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike near the city. “Nothing can replace the loss of my son,” she said, her eyes reflecting both sorrow and determination. Despite the truce, Nabatiyeh remains unlivable for many, with ongoing threats to safety and the slow pace of recovery.

The city’s historical significance as a Shiite cultural and religious center adds to its emotional weight. Nabatiyeh has long been a hub for Ashoura, a solemn observance commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The 10-day mourning period, which begins this week, serves as a reminder of the city’s deep ties to Islamic heritage. Yet, the conflict has turned this sacred space into a site of suffering, with families unable to fully reclaim their lives even as the fighting nears its third month.

Broader Implications of the Truce

While the U.S.-Iran truce has brought a pause to direct military confrontations, its impact on Nabatiyeh is still unfolding. The agreement, which seeks to reduce regional tensions, has not fully addressed the complex dynamics at play. Iran’s involvement in Lebanon’s conflict through Hezbollah has kept the fighting alive, with attacks continuing to target civilians and infrastructure. For residents like Jleilati and al-Kamel, the truce offers a chance to rebuild, but its durability remains uncertain. Past ceasefires have often failed to last, leaving the city in a state of constant uncertainty.

Dr. Shafi Fouani, director of Najdeh El Chaabiyeh Hospital, noted that the current conflict mirrors previous waves of violence, with civilians bearing the brunt of the toll. “It was a very harsh war,” he said, describing the challenges of providing care in a war-torn area. The city’s three hospitals continue to treat the wounded, but resources are strained, and the pace of recovery is slow. As the truce takes hold, the focus shifts to rebuilding, yet the specter of renewed fighting casts a long shadow over Nabatiyeh’s prospects.

Challenges of Rebuilding

Rebuilding efforts in Nabatiyeh face significant obstacles, including damaged infrastructure and the lingering threat of attacks. Residents are working to clear debris and restore basic services, but progress is hampered by the constant risk of violence. The lack of electricity and communication networks has made it difficult for families to reconnect with one another or access essential supplies. Meanwhile, the truce has allowed some to return, but the city’s residents remain divided between those who are cautiously optimistic and those who fear the conflict may reignite.

For many, the return to Nabatiyeh is more than a physical act—it is a symbolic one. The city’s survival as a cultural and religious center is a testament to its resilience, even as the war threatens its very existence. As the U.S.-Iran agreement takes effect, the hope is that it will bring not only a pause in hostilities but also the possibility of long-term peace. However, the experiences of Nabatiyeh’s residents underscore the challenges of restoring normalcy in a region where conflict has become a way of life. Few are rushing back, but for those who do, the journey is fraught with uncertainty and the memory of loss.