BEIRUT

Residents of Dahiye, a southern suburb of Beirut heavily bombarded by Israeli forces for two months, are working to recover from the devastation left behind. 

The intense airstrikes, which targeted the area known as a Hezbollah stronghold, caused widespread destruction before ceasing with the implementation of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday.

Returning to their homes and businesses, the residents are grappling with extensive damage but remain resolute in their efforts to restore normalcy.

Sara Ibrahim, whose shop and home were damaged, said: “After every attack, we would come and check on our business. This is our livelihood, we couldn’t abandon it.”

She expressed joy at the cease-fire announcement, stressing: “We were so happy we couldn’t sleep at night. We came back to our home immediately.”

Ibrahim emphasized her determination to stay despite the hardships.

“We are here to stay. Whatever comes from God, we accept with gratitude,” she stated, emphasizing: “Sacrifices are necessary to protect our homeland.”

Mohammed Akika, an electronics shop owner, described being displaced during the attacks.

“We, like many families, were forced to leave,” he lamented.

“With the end of Israel’s unjust war, we returned. May God never let us see war again,” he said.

- ‘We can’t live without our home’

Akika stressed the importance of rebuilding the country and their neighborhood, revealing plans to reopen his damaged shop within 10 days.

Standing amidst the rubble, Emmune Ahmedi recounted seeking refuge in the Sahat al-Shuhada area with her husband and four children during the bombardment.

“We went to the shelter during the strikes and came out when they stopped. I’m cleaning our damaged house now,” she said, adding: “We can’t live without our home. We were born, raised, and lived here. We won’t give up on our homeland.”

Aysa, another resident whose home was destroyed, expressed determination not to leave.

“This building that was reduced to rubble belonged entirely to civilians. There wasn’t a single resistance member inside,” she said.

The cease-fire came into force on Wednesday, ending over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah group.

Under the terms of the cease-fire, Israel will withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line de facto border in a phased manner while the Lebanese army deploys its forces in southern Lebanon within 60 days.

Implementation of the agreement will be overseen by the US and France, but details on enforcement mechanisms remain unclear.

More than 3,960 people have been killed and over 16,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon and over 1 million displaced since October last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

*Writing by Merve Berker