Hundreds of Thousands Return to Southern Lebanon as Fighting Eases

Around 400,000 people who fled fighting in southern Lebanon have returned home in recent days, a government minister said Tuesday, as a lull in the four-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah encouraged further movement. Since March, roughly one million people have been forced from their homes.

About 40 percent of those displaced have now gone back to their towns and villages. The number of people staying in collective shelters has fallen sharply to about 13,000 from 37,000. The total number of shelters in use has dropped from 692 at the height of the crisis to 479.

Many families are returning to damaged houses, scarce electricity and water, and destroyed businesses. Officials are working to restore basic services and expand cash assistance, rental support and employment programs. Despite these hardships, many residents are choosing to return because of strong ties to their land.

"These are families that are able to return to something, at least the basic minimum," the minister told Reuters. The government estimates Lebanon will need billions of dollars to rebuild homes and infrastructure. Authorities expect more returns in the coming week and hope to determine within about seven days how many families cannot go back because their homes are completely destroyed.

Additional centers have been opened in Nabatieh for people who want to stay near their home areas while shelters remain open for those who cannot return.