Over 800,000 Lebanese return home amid ongoing border tensions
More than 800,000 people displaced by the war in Lebanon have started returning to their hometowns and villages as security conditions improve in parts of the country. However, the humanitarian situation remains severe, with hundreds of thousands still unable to go back because of widespread destruction and ongoing instability.
According to the United Nations, more than 360,000 people remain displaced across Lebanon. Around 26,000 of them continue to live in government-run shelters, while many others stay with relatives or in temporary accommodation as they wait for conditions to improve.
The UN’s humanitarian agency says the conflict has devastated essential infrastructure, particularly in southern Lebanon. Damage to water supply systems and electricity networks has left more than 700,000 people without reliable access to clean drinking water, raising concerns about public health and increasing the need for humanitarian assistance.
The war has taken a heavy human toll. Israeli military operations have killed more than 4,300 people and forced over one million residents to flee their homes since the conflict escalated. Entire neighborhoods and villages in southern Lebanon have suffered extensive destruction, making it difficult for many returning families to rebuild their lives.
Large areas in southern Lebanon remain under Israeli military control, and residents in several border communities continue to face uncertainty despite the gradual return of displaced families.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions have resumed. A new round of US-led talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials began in Rome yesterday and will continue through tomorrow. Negotiators hope the discussions will help strengthen the ceasefire, address security concerns along the border, and create conditions for a broader and more lasting peace.
