QUSAIR, Syria — Following the initiation of a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, thousands of individuals are moving back into Lebanon after enduring nearly 14 months of conflict.
At the Jousieh border crossing, situated in the Qusair area of Homs province, vehicles formed long lines on Thursday as they awaited clearance to enter Lebanon. All four lanes of traffic were occupied by those heading into Lebanon, while individuals looking to cross into Syria had to navigate through off-road paths due to congestion. Currently, only two of the six border crossings between the two nations are operational, as continuous Israeli airstrikes have led to the closure of the others. Lebanon and Syria share a border that stretches for 375 kilometers (233 miles).
Over the course of the past year, more than 600,000 people fled from Lebanon into Syria, particularly after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in mid-September. This significant movement of people marks a notable shift, especially considering that Lebanon remains home to over 1 million Syrian refugees who escaped their own country’s turmoil, which began back in 2011.
With the ceasefire taking effect early Wednesday, a wave of returnees made their way back to Lebanon. Families packed into vehicles, bringing along suitcases, mattresses, and blankets, with children carrying backpacks—some even wrapped in blankets—as they traveled back on Thursday. The atmosphere was a mix of relief and melancholy, as many returnees confronted the harsh reality that their homes might be in ruins.
Hasan Fliti, a 54-year-old dairy shop owner returning to Lebanon with his wife and two children, expressed bittersweet feelings: “We have been in Syria since September 23. We had to leave our jobs, homes, and loved ones because of the war. I am happy that there is a ceasefire now, and there’s no more destruction. You are no longer living in fear of airstrikes.”
On the first day of the ceasefire, over 2,000 people successfully crossed back into Lebanon, as reported by a Syrian security official at the border. By Thursday, more than 4,000 had returned, with numbers on the rise. The border hall was bustling with families eager for passport and ID stamping, some waiting on their luggage while others sought a moment of respite by smoking.
Amid the flow of returnees was Wafa Wehbe, 37, who had taken refuge in Syria with her family for over a month. “My house is gone, but returning home brings an indescribable feeling,” she shared. “There’s a tragic sense of loss for those who have perished; the children are mourning.” Wehbe’s home in Khiyam was destroyed yet she plans to stay with her sister. “I’m also going back to remember our martyrs. They died while fighting at the frontlines.”
Another returnee, Ghinwa Arzouni, who had sought refuge in Homs from southern Lebanon, acknowledged the duality of emotions surrounding the journey home. “It’s a mix of excitement and anxiety. We’re eager to return but apprehensive about the long trip ahead,” she noted. “Our house in the south seems to be alright, maybe just some broken glass, but we need to get there first to see for ourselves. We hope to one day visit Syria as tourists rather than as displaced individuals.”