Aida Jleilati and her daughter picked through the debris of their former home in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, early Tuesday. They were among a few returning after a U.S.-Iran deal aimed to conclude their conflict. This agreement mandates the end of the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon.
Despite ongoing clashes, the strikes have decreased since the deal. Many who had fled returned to check on their homes. Jleilati and her 22-year-old daughter, Sukaina al-Muhtadi, lived on the ground floor of a three-story structure destroyed by an Israeli airstrike.
City Endures Intense Attacks
Jleilati salvaged her husband’s scuba gear and clothing, while her daughter’s hope was to recover a childhood photo album. Jleilati expressed sorrow over their life’s accumulation being wasted, learning of their home’s destruction via social media.
Since the inception of the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Nabatiyeh, an ancient city, has faced severe bombardment. The once-vibrant market has largely been destroyed, with bulldozers clearing rubble following the U.S.-Iran accord.
Residents, including Jleilati, harbor doubts about the truce’s longevity due to previous failed ceasefires. Israeli forces have advanced into southern Lebanon, reaching areas close to this historical trade hub.
Nabatiyeh’s Historical Significance
Since Lebanon’s creation in 1920, Nabatiyeh has been a focal point for religion and culture, with Shiite clerics sharing ties to Iraq’s holy cities. Historically, Nabatiyeh served as the capital of Jabal Amel, influencing Iran’s conversion to Shiite Islam in the 16th century.
The city is principal for Shiite Muslims’ Ashoura observances, a solemn commemoration beginning this Wednesday.
Destruction Amid Ongoing Battles
In central Nabatiyeh, Kamel al-Kamel surveyed his devastated supermarket and coffee roastery while recounting previous conflicts. His losses amount to $2.5 million, deeming this war the most severe he has witnessed.
Samar Zuraik found her residence still standing but damaged. Her loss of her son Ali, killed in an Israeli strike, overshadows property damage. She stated Nabatiyeh remains uninhabitable despite the Iran-U.S. accord.
Nearby, major hospitals attended to war casualties. Najdeh El Chaabiyeh Hospital treated hundreds, with many being transferred to larger medical facilities due to the intensity of their wounds.
Human Losses and Continued Conflict
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, over 3,800 people have perished in the latest clashes. Thirty Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor have died, alongside two civilians in northern Israel.
Israeli artillery continues targeting Nabatiyeh’s outskirts, with Hezbollah retaliating against Israeli positions. Ongoing engagements focus on strategic high ground coveted by Israeli forces.
Jleilati and al-Muhtadi unearthed a cherished watch amidst the ruins. Planning a return to a Beirut suburb, they await a sustained peace to consider relocating back to Nabatiyeh until reconstruction concludes.
“We can’t imagine life outside Nabatiyeh,” al-Muhtadi reflected.
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