Lebanon ceasefire fails to open doors for displaced families

A ceasefire signed between Israel and Lebanon was meant to bring an end to hostilities and allow hundreds of displaced families to return to their homes in southern Lebanon. However, the reality on the ground is starkly different. Many families remain in a state of limbo, living in temporary shelters and makeshift camps, with no clear path back to their villages.

Despite the cessation of large-scale fighting, Israel has continued targeted attacks in southern Lebanon over the weekend. Large areas remain unsafe or completely inaccessible, leaving residents with no immediate prospect of returning home. The peace agreement has not yet translated into a safe address for these families.

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Everyone tells me to wait. No one gives me a solution.

One such temporary refuge is the former Palace of Justice in Sidon, which has housed hundreds of displaced families for the past four months. Run by the NGO Amalouna, the facility is now preparing to close as most residents depart. However, their departures are not necessarily to their homes; some have found rental housing, others have been moved to new centers, and many are still searching for a place to stay. Ali Mohamed al Qasem, from the village of Yahmar al Shaqif, expressed his frustration, stating, "Everyone tells me to wait. No one gives me a solution." His home was destroyed, and he is uncertain of his next destination as the shelter prepares to shut down.

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What hurt them the most was not being in their homes. It's not the same to shower in your bathroom as it is here. It changed their lives 100%.