An Israeli air strike in Saksakiyeh, southern Lebanon, killed nine members of a displaced family-including a woman in her 70s and a two-year-old girl-as a ceasefire announced last month has failed to stop the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
In towns like Arab Salim, once home to 6,000 people, only a tenth remain. Residents live under constant Israeli drones and jets, yet many still support Hezbollah. Two cousins in their 80s who never fled said, “We’ve witnessed many wars. But we’ve never left.”
Since the war began, at least 2,800 people have died in Lebanon, over 400 after the ceasefire. Israel occupies about 5% of Lebanon’s territory. Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by the U.S. and U.K., has been weakened but remains isolated domestically. President Joseph Aoun has vowed to disarm it, but the group’s leader Naim Qassem rejects giving up weapons.
In Tyre, Rida Hijazi, 52, lost his home, business, and brother in an Israeli strike. He still supports Hezbollah: “As long as Lebanon is under occupation or under threat, we can’t trust anyone.”