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Displaced Lebanese Defy Danger, Return Home Amid Fragile Ceasefire

Despite warnings from UN humanitarian officials about the dangers of unexploded ordnance, thousands of displaced Lebanese have begun returning to their homes in southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs following a ceasefire. Major roads are congested as people travel south, even though bridges and infrastructure sustained extensive damage. The UN reports a significant drop in the number of people staying in collective shelters since the truce took effect. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire, hoping it leads to negotiations for a long-term solution.

Key Points: Lebanese Return Home Despite Unexploded Ordnance Warnings

  • Thousands returning despite warnings
  • Unexploded ordnance poses major risk
  • Roads congested near southern villages
  • Shelter occupancy drops after ceasefire
  • UN supports local humanitarian response
2 min read

Displaced Lebanese people begin returning despite danger warnings: UN

Thousands of displaced Lebanese are returning south despite UN warnings of unexploded ordnance and damaged infrastructure following the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.

"risks to people's safety remain, including unexploded ordnance in many residential areas - OCHA"

United Nations, April 18

Following the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, thousands of the 1.2 million people displaced in southern Lebanon are returning home despite warnings of unexploded ordnance, UN humanitarians said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Friday (local time) said its partners reported that displaced families are starting to return to Beirut's southern suburbs and southern Lebanon, including parts of Nabatieh and Tyre.

However, OCHA warned that risks to people's safety remain, including unexploded ordnance in many residential areas across the South and Nabatieh governorates.

"According to partners and local authorities, thousands of people were seen travelling south early this morning, with major roads congested, particularly near the villages of Qasmiyeh and Zefta in southern Lebanon, despite extensive damage to bridges and infrastructure," OCHA said.

The office said that temporary fixes were installed at river crossings in the South governorate and along the coastal route of Qasmiyeh to facilitate returns, reports Xinhua news agency.

OCHA said that by Friday evening local time, there were 113,000 people in collective shelters, down from the 141,000 registered on Thursday.

"Partners continue to support the humanitarian response in close coordination with the local authorities," the office said.

The 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday local time.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire, his chief spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday.

"He reaffirms the support of the United Nations to all efforts to end hostilities and alleviate the suffering of communities on both sides of the Blue Line," Dujarric said. "The secretary-general hopes that this ceasefire will pave the way for negotiations ... toward a long-term solution to the conflict."

The UN peacekeeping mission patrolling the Blue Line between northern Israel and southern Lebanon said that peacekeepers did not detect any projectiles fired into Israel or Israeli airstrikes in the area of their operations since the ceasefire began.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
A 10-day ceasefire is just a band-aid. What happens after that? We've seen this cycle before. There needs to be a permanent, diplomatic solution. The UN's role is crucial, but it often feels like they're just managing the crisis, not solving it. Hoping for lasting peace for the innocent civilians caught in the middle.
A
Aman W
The resilience of these people is incredible. Despite damaged bridges and warnings, they are going back. It reminds me of stories from our own borders sometimes. Home is home, no matter the condition. But the UN warnings about unexploded ordnance are very serious. Hope aid reaches them quickly.
S
Sarah B
From 141,000 to 113,000 in shelters in one day is a massive movement. It puts immense strain on the temporary infrastructure fixes. While I understand the desire to return, coordinating this return with proper safety checks should have been a priority. The humanitarian response seems reactive, not proactive.
V
Vikram M
This is why ceasefires are so fragile. People start returning, but if the underlying issues aren't resolved, any incident can spark violence again. The UN peacekeepers have a tough job. India has contributed significantly to UN peacekeeping over the years. It's a noble but often thankless task.
K
Kriti O
My heart goes out to all the families, especially the children. Returning to a home that might be destroyed or booby-trapped is a trauma no one should face. The world watches these conflicts from afar, but the real suffering is on the ground. More coverage on the rebuilding efforts, please! 🙏

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