'They left nothing undestroyed': Lebanese return to devastated border town after Israeli pullout
“We are hurt and oppressed by what is happening to us. We hope Arab, foreign and local associations will come and stand with us. We are not only asking for aid; their presence gives us strength and reinforces our steadfastness,” she added.
Mohammed, 10, said his family’s home was destroyed but insisted they would rebuild it better.
“My family cannot stay in the house now and will leave the area later Tuesday,” he said.
Thuraya Noureddine, 65, said damage had affected all parts of her son’s home.
“The bedroom was ruined, and the living room has no walls left. The house cannot be lived in. They left nothing undestroyed,” she told Anadolu.
‘Catastrophic’
Abbas, 46, who declined to give his full name, said Israeli forces had been present in the area for a long time, and traces of their presence remain visible inside homes.
“Their food is still there, as well as their sleeping places, in addition to the destruction they left in the house and the town in general,” he said.
He described the damage as “catastrophic.”
“The house has no foundations and no columns. Bombs were detonated inside the house, damaging the building’s structure, while fires consumed its contents and furniture,” he added.
He said residents are currently coming only to inspect their homes because many are “unfit for habitation and even unfit for repair,” calling on the Lebanese authorities to help them return gradually.
“Security comes first, then we can talk about life, infrastructure, electricity and water. Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh today lacks the basic requirements of life,” he said.
Ali Hreibi, 54, said his home suffered extensive destruction, with bullet marks visible on walls.
“As you can see, the destruction is massive. On top of that, they entered, vandalised, broke things and fired inside the house. This is an enemy without mercy. The harm is very great,” he told Anadolu.
The destruction comes amid continued Israeli violations of the US-mediated framework agreement, as the army continues destroying facilities and infrastructure in other Lebanese areas through shelling and explosions.
Since March 2, 2026, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed 4,330 people and injured 12,236 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Israel still occupies areas in southern Lebanon despite the agreement, some for decades and others since the 2023-2024 confrontations. It has also advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory during the current offensive.
