KHIAM, Lebanon — Every morning, Sabah Abdullah returns to her hometown to sit by the ruins of her former home. She is awaiting assistance from Hezbollah’s construction teams, hoping for compensation for the devastation inflicted by the recent conflict with Israel, which has left her without a place to live.
At 66 years old, Abdullah now lives in the nearby village of Kawkaba and is focusing on fixing her small grocery store, severely affected by the 13-month war that concluded at the end of November through a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire. This conflict has tragically resulted in over 4,000 fatalities and more than 16,000 injuries in Lebanon, alongside billions of dollars in damages.
“Physical damages can indeed be addressed, but the loss of human life is irreplaceable,” Abdullah expressed, sitting on a plastic chair outside her store, basking in the sun.
In the ongoing situation, Israeli forces will continue to occupy strategic spots in southern Lebanon. Initially planned to withdraw by January 27, the 60-day ceasefire has been extended, but Israeli officials recently indicated that troops will still hold five critical positions. One such area is Hamamis hill, located just outside of Khiam, where construction activities are evident, hinting that the Israeli military might not be leaving anytime soon.
Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem has remarked that Israel is required to completely withdraw from Lebanon by the deadline outlined in the ceasefire, asserting, “There is no justification for maintaining presence at five points or any other details.” He added that it is the responsibility of the Lebanese government to ensure Israeli forces do not remain post-deadline.
The Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalated sharply following a significant attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the kidnapping of around 250 people, thus sparking a broader confrontation. The Israel-Hezbollah skirmishes intensified after September 23, marked by Israel’s expanded assaults which included the assassination of a prominent Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Khiam, situated near the Israeli border, has witnessed extensive devastation, with large sections of the town reduced to rubble. The remnants of Israeli military presence can be noted through graffiti adorning the walls and the ruins of homes, with the local cemetery also suffering significant damage.
On Monday, cleanup efforts were underway throughout Khiam, where residents frequently visit during daylight hours to check on their properties, although they return home before sunset due to the absence of electricity and running water in the area. The local electricity company has begun replacing damaged power poles, as the infrastructure has been gravely impacted.
“Khiam has turned into a graveyard,” reads one graffiti inscription in Arabic. Another message lamented, “In Khiam, everyone was martyred,” pointing to the heavy toll of the conflict.
In a structure on the eastern edge of Khiam, a resident showed a reporter a red-painted Star of David at the entrance of her apartment, further highlighting the emotional scars left behind. This woman preferred to remain nameless for safety concerns but shared the destruction found within her home.
Abdallah recounted the troubling sight when she returned to Khiam following the ceasefire, discovering that stray cats and dogs had rummaged through her ravaged shop, consuming cakes, chocolates, and other items. The violence had left her metal door blasted open. While witnessing the destruction of her father’s legacy saddened her, Abdullah found solace in the fact that her family had escaped unscathed.
Regarding her rebuilding plans, she mentioned that shortly after hostilities ceased, Hezbollah’s Jihad al-Binaa awarded her $12,000—$8,000 designated for lost furnishings and $4,000 earmarked for a year’s rent. However, the prolonged conflict has drained her savings as she rented a house in Marakaba and even sold jewelry to manage. Now, she waits for government officials to assess her losses so she can begin reconstructing her two-story home, which she previously shared with her brother.
While optimistic about rebuilding, Abdallah expressed uncertainty about the future, reflecting on the proximity of the border and the potential for future conflicts. “I will rebuild my house, but the future remains uncertain,” she said.
Another local resident, Dalal Abdallah, voiced a similar sentiment, asserting that should Israel choose to remain in Lebanon, it will inevitably be compelled to withdraw again. “This land has been marked by blood and sacrifice,” she declared. “No one should think that we will abandon our homeland.”
