Some Residents Returning to Bint Jbeil in Southern Lebanon

Alsharq Tribune- World News

Residents trickled back to the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Monday as the Israeli army withdrew and Lebanese forces, alongside UN peacekeepers, moved in to secure the area.

This marks another town from which Israeli troops have withdrawn following the US- and French-brokered ceasefire that ended the 14-month conflict between Hezbollah and Israel on Nov. 27, The Associated Press said.

Inside the town, a mosque’s dome lay in ruins, surrounded by collapsed buildings, charred cars and streets strewn with twisted metal and broken glass.

Despite the lack of power some residents returned to check on their homes. Few stayed. Ahmad Saad, a member of the Bint Jbeil Municipality, said only about 10% of the town’s residents have returned. “Essentials of life are still lacking — there’s no electricity, water, there’s nothing,” he said.