Dozens of Lebanese families who returned to southern Lebanon last week following the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel have once again left their homes and sought safer areas as ceasefire violations continue.
“I packed my things and children after we came to our house near Tire in southern Lebanon last week and returned to the house I rented in Mount Lebanon,” Haj Abu Mohammed told DPA.
Dozens of cars could be seen on South Lebanon Highway on Tuesday, loaded with mattresses and belongings, heading to areas in northern Lebanon and the Mount Lebanon region in the center of the country.
On Monday evening, Israel launched a series of airstrikes, killing nine people, after accusing Hezbollah militants of violating the ceasefire.
Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire since it came into effect last Wednesday.
Despite the agreement, the Israeli military has repeatedly launched air and ground strikes on targets in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire.
“We survived the war, but I don’t want to lose my children. They were terrified last night when they heard the bombing again,” Abu Mohammed said.
“We don’t care who caused the violations. We believe it is important to live in peace with our families,” said Fatima, who returned to the north from the south of the country.
She said her family had decided to spend the winter in a safe area on Mount Lebanon, adding that this will give them time to see how the situation develops in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has said it will rebuild people’s homes, buy furniture and pay a year’s rent for those who have lost their homes in the conflict.
“Yes, Hezbollah helps a lot and we are grateful, but I think we want our families to return to their villages and live in peace,” Zeinab, a resident of the city of Ghaizieh in southern Lebanon, told dpa.
