"This is not a way to live": Security and long-standing beliefs destroyed in south Lebanon during Israeli strikes

Last Friday, around 19:00, an Israeli air strike targeted a vehicle in the southern Lebanese village of Froun. This region, a center of the Shia Muslim community, has long been influenced by Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia militia and political organization. Streets are lined with banners honoring fighters killed in past conflicts, portrayed as martyrs of the resistance.

Rescue teams arrived shortly after the strike and removed the remains of the only fatality, a man described by the Israeli military as a "Hezbollah operative." Despite a ceasefire established last November, Israel has continued near-daily airstrikes on the region.

One local resident, Mohamad Mokdad, whose house was near the car strike, described the aftermath: There were body parts here and in the trees. We just want to live in peace. I dont want anyone interfering.

Israel states its operations are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities. Visiting southern Lebanon, I observed the persistent fear and erosion of long-standing assumptions in areas historically supportive of Hezbollah.

The ceasefire, brokered by the US and France, concluded a 13-month war that left 4,000 Lebanese and 120 Israelis dead. The agreement required Hezbollah to withdraw fighters and weapons from the south of the Litani River, while Israeli troops pulled back from areas they had occupied. Thousands of Lebanese soldiers were deployed to restore control in previously Hezbollah-dominated zones.

However, Israel still occupies several strategic positions in southern Lebanon and continues air and drone strikes on locations it claims are Hezbollah-linked. Last Sunday, Israeli forces killed the groups chief of staff and four others in Dahieh, near Beirut. According to the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL, Israel has violated the ceasefire more than 10,000 times since its enforcement. Lebanese authorities report over 330 deaths, including civilians, due to Israeli attacks.

Israel alleges Hezbollah is rebuilding military strength south of the Litani and attempting to smuggle weapons into Lebanon, while producing explosive drones. The evidence for these claims has not been publicly released, though Israeli media have discussed possible escalations. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hezbollah against defying the truce, criticizing the Lebanese president for inaction.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in office since January, has pledged a "state monopoly on arms" to disarm Hezbollah. Yet the group remains a major political party and social movement, providing services where the state is absent. UNIFIL has reported no observed military activity by Hezbollah in violation of the ceasefire, and the group denies Israels allegations, insisting the truce applies only south of the Litani.

In Beit Lif, residents expressed fear of Israeli attacks. Lt Col Avichay Adraee, Israeli army spokesperson, warned the village of supposed Hezbollah infrastructure, prompting a request for Lebanese army protection. Despite these warnings, Israeli forces have not struck the village.

Locals voiced frustration with Hezbollahs continued presence. One man, Haider, invited me to inspect his house, previously flagged by Israel as a militant site. He emphasized their desire for stability and normal life, stating, Were done. Were worn out.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem recently reiterated that the group will not surrender its weapons, which he calls essential for their survival. Hezbollahs military power, exceeding Lebanons national army, remains a contentious issue domestically, with opponents accusing the group of drawing Lebanon into conflict to serve Iranian interests.

In Yaroun, a border village devastated during the war, displaced residents live under constant drone surveillance. Nayef al-Rida, one of the few remaining villagers, described life there as frightening and uncertain, adding, We wait for Gods mercy. This is no life.

Lebanons reconstruction remains stalled, in part due to the unresolved disarmament of Hezbollah and ongoing Israeli control along the border. The future of the region hinges on delicate negotiations and the willingness of both Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities to adhere to agreements and restore stability.

Context and Analysis: The Stalemate in Southern Lebanon

The recent Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon highlights the ongoing instability in the region despite the ceasefire brokered last November. Although Hezbollah and Israeli forces were expected to cease hostilities, Israel’s near-daily airstrikes continue to target Hezbollah-linked areas, signaling a lack of trust and the fragility of the peace agreement. The strike in Froun, which resulted in the death of a Hezbollah operative, underscores the persistent risks faced by the civilian population in the area.

The situation is compounded by the fact that Israel still controls strategic areas in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah maintains its stronghold in the region. Both parties continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire terms. While Israel claims Hezbollah is rebuilding its military capacity and smuggling weapons, there has been no official evidence to substantiate these claims. For many Lebanese civilians, particularly in southern villages like Beit Lif and Yaroun, the fear of further escalation remains a daily reality.

Furthermore, the political dilemma faced by Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun, reflects the deep divisions within the country. His pledge to disarm Hezbollah clashes with the group's firm stance on retaining its weapons, which they consider essential for Lebanon’s defense. Hezbollah’s military capabilities surpass those of the national army, making it a powerful yet controversial political entity.

While the Lebanese government struggles to maintain sovereignty over its territory, the role of international actors, such as the UN and foreign powers, continues to be crucial. However, as recent events show, external diplomatic efforts are insufficient to end the violence and address the internal political conflicts surrounding Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon.

The future of Lebanon hinges on whether both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government can reconcile their differences, and whether international bodies can enforce a lasting peace. The ongoing cycle of airstrikes, political disagreements, and military build-ups casts a shadow over the prospects for stability in southern Lebanon.

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• 'This is no life': Security and long-held views shattered in south Lebanon amid Israeli strikes