Around 400,000 people displaced by the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah have returned to southern Lebanon, according to Social Affairs Minister Hanine El Sayed, following a lull in fighting.
However, around one million people have been displaced since March, with many still unable to return because homes have been destroyed or remain uninhabitable. The Lebanese government says recovery efforts continue alongside humanitarian support.
Key developments:
- Approximately 40% of displaced residents have returned to their communities.
- Collective shelter occupancy has fallen from 37,000 to around 13,000 people.
- Nearly 90,000 housing units have been totally or partially damaged.
- A US-brokered framework aims to transfer parts of southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army and begin reconstruction in designated pilot zones.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon while Hezbollah continues to pose what Israel describes as a security threat.
“Our insistence is that we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat is removed,” Netanyahu told troops on Tuesday (30 Jun) as he visited Lebanese territory occupied by the Israeli military.
“And as long as Hezbollah remains here, armed and threatening us, we will remain here as well,” he said.
ℹ️ Reuters
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