Some south Lebanon residents trickle back as Israel-Hezbollah fighting pauses

Some south Lebanon residents cautiously head back to their hometowns after fighting paused between Israel and Hezbollah yesterday evening, even as Lebanon’s army warns locals to delay returns.

In the southern city of Nabatieh, AFP correspondents saw just a few residents trickling back to inspect homes and businesses.

Mohammad Salloum says he came back briefly to check on his shop but will return to the city of Sidon further north where he has taken refuge.

“Nabatieh is disaster-stricken,” he tells AFP while inspecting the damage. But “God willing, the city will return to life within two or three months,” he adds.

Lebanon’s army has emphasized “the need for residents to delay their return to southern border villages and towns” and to comply with army instructions “to preserve their safety from the danger of Israeli violations and attacks.”

In the southern Tyre region, an AFP correspondent reports a cautious return of some residents, but says many are waiting for the outcome of further Middle East war talks today and the green light from local authorities.