The spillover from the latest round of the Gaza conflict, which broke out three years ago, has turned life upside down in Nabatieh, Lebanon, where homes have been destroyed and the psychological scars of war remain.
Since the fighting erupted in October 2023, Israeli forces have launched repeated airstrikes and military operations across Lebanon. Damaged and destroyed buildings still leave their mark on Nabatieh.
"The war affected us very, very deeply in general, and it affected everyone. Everyone. There used to be people here, there was a market, there were shops. It was a good town. Then the war came, and the war, it is what it is," said Mohammad Ayash, a local resident.
The Israeli military has already occupied some five percent of Lebanese territory, but strikes continue across the south, including Nabatieh.
"Nabatieh lost many martyrs -- doctors, lawyers, engineers. What can I tell you? Some of the finest young people from Nabatieh are gone. My house was destroyed too, I swear to you. Everything was gone. It was a large building, spacious and tall," said Abdulatif Juhara, another resident.
A U.S.-mediated truce was brokered in June in hopes of disarming Hezbollah and seeing the withdrawal of Israeli troops. But progress has been slow, and experts are skeptical about what the future holds.
"As for the southern areas specifically, this is the region that Israel wants to turn into a buffer zone. The situation is unclear but not looking good, given that Israel does not want to withdraw," said Abbas Daher, a political analyst.
As Israeli elections approach at the end of the month, some worry about escalation for political gain, though others say it is a difficult gamble.
"If the Israeli government were to carry out military strikes today beyond the current scope of operations in southern Lebanon -- that is, beyond the rules of engagement that have effectively been established over the past few months -- there could be a response," Daher said.
Spillover of Gaza conflict turns life upside down in Lebanon
Spillover of Gaza conflict turns life upside down in Lebanon
