After Israel’s invasion, many in southern Lebanon worry they’ll never go home

Joseph Elias Issa, a 56-year-old farmer from Kfar Houneh in southern Lebanon, has been forced to leave his home due to the Israeli invasion aimed at removing Hezbollah militants. This conflict has led to one of Lebanon’s largest displacements, affecting over a million people. Issa, who comes from a family of shepherds and farmers, has relocated to a shepherd’s hut in Jezzine, about five miles from his home, taking only his two mules with him. The Israeli military has ordered residents to move north of the Zahrani River, as airstrikes have destroyed infrastructure in the evacuation zone, which covers 15% to 20% of Lebanon’s territory. Many displaced people are seeking refuge in schools and tents in Beirut. Despite being outside the evacuation zone, Jezzine has also experienced airstrikes, making Issa’s journey north perilous. QUESTION: How might the displacement of so many people impact the future of communities in southern Lebanon?