Few families return to devastated Lebanese villages under 'pilot zones' deal

In the southern Lebanese village of Zawtar al-Gharbieh, a handful of families have begun returning to their homes amidst the rubble, participating in a US-brokered "pilot zones" agreement. This deal stipulates Israel's withdrawal in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Mahasen Faqih, 58, and her husband returned this week to find their home severely damaged, with parts of the kitchen and sitting room destroyed by an Israeli strike. They are currently residing in their large grocery shop while awaiting their home's demolition and reconstruction. "Zawtar is our small homeland, and we are very happy," Faqih stated. "We will sleep here to tell the Israelis that we will stay in our land and will not leave it, no matter what happens."

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Zawtar is our small homeland, and we are very happy. We will sleep here to tell the Israelis that we will stay in our land and will not leave it, no matter what happens.

According to Mayor Abed Ezzeldine, only about 15 families have returned to Zawtar al-Gharbieh since the Lebanese army took control a week ago. He estimates that nearly half of the village's 500 homes are destroyed, with many others damaged. The Iran-backed Hezbollah group has expressed strong opposition to the deal, which aims to resolve the long-standing conflict between Lebanon and Israel.

The agreement has faced controversy within Lebanon, particularly regarding the designation of the initial pilot zones. Questions have arisen about the practicalities of an Israeli withdrawal, as Israeli troops were reportedly not present in many of these specific areas, although they occupied adjacent territories. The Israeli military claims to have destroyed 24 ancient villages and between 15,000 to 20,000 houses in Lebanon, controlling approximately 700 square kilometers of southern Lebanon to prevent cross-border raids.

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The Israeli military has destroyed 24 centuries-old villages and 15,000 to 20,000 houses in Lebanon, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told a TV station Tuesday. He said Israeli troops control 700 square kilometers (270 square miles) of southern Lebanon and “are preventing raids on the communities.”