Destroyed buildings in the village of Khiam, in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel, following Israeli strikes on Dec. 7, 2024. (Credit: AFP)
“It feels like a day of liberation. We’re overjoyed,” said Layal*, describing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from her village of Khiam on Thursday.Having fled the Marjayoun district village when conflict erupted between Israel and Hezbollah in October 2023, the teacher and mother of two feels as though “the page is finally turning” and that she may soon return home, even though tensions remain high.Despite an Israeli directive prohibiting residents of border villages from returning home, Layal, impatiently made her way home on the first day of the cease-fire on Nov. 27, even as the Israeli army was still present. The agreement stipulated a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces over 60 days. Read more The scars of war linger in Rashidieh camp “They bombed twice nearby, but I kept walking,” she told L’Orient-Le Jour in a phone...
“It feels like a day of liberation. We’re overjoyed,” said Layal*, describing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from her village of Khiam on Thursday.Having fled the Marjayoun district village when conflict erupted between Israel and Hezbollah in October 2023, the teacher and mother of two feels as though “the page is finally turning” and that she may soon return home, even though tensions remain high.Despite an Israeli directive prohibiting residents of border villages from returning home, Layal, impatiently made her way home on the first day of the cease-fire on Nov. 27, even as the Israeli army was still present. The agreement stipulated a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces over 60 days. Read more The scars of war linger in Rashidieh camp “They bombed twice nearby, but I kept walking,” she told L’Orient-Le Jour...
