"We are just displaced and we have to go back" : Lebanese return to southern villages • FRANCE 24

Key Concepts

• Internal Displacement: The forced movement of people within their own country due to conflict.
• Counter-Exodus: The mass movement of displaced people returning to their homes despite ongoing security risks.
• Buffer Zone: A militarily controlled area (10 km deep into Lebanon) occupied by Israeli forces.
• Litani River: A geographical landmark often serving as a boundary for military operations in Southern Lebanon.
• Precarity of Ceasefire: The fragile nature of the current truce, which authorities fear could collapse at any moment.

The Phenomenon of the Counter-Exodus

Cyril Payen, reporting for France 24, highlights a significant "counter-exodus" occurring in Lebanon. Despite explicit warnings from Lebanese authorities, the military, and political factions (specifically the Shiite party), hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals are returning to Southern Lebanon.

The primary driver for this movement is the psychological and social toll of being an "internally displaced person" (IDP). Many residents reject the label of "refugee" within their own borders, expressing a deep-seated need to return to their ancestral lands, even when they know their homes have been destroyed.

Military Context and Strategic Realities

• The Buffer Zone: The Israeli military maintains a significant presence, with thousands of soldiers occupying a 10 km deep zone inside Lebanese territory. This area is effectively under military occupation.
• Destruction Patterns: Payen draws a parallel between the current situation in Southern Lebanon and previous military offensives in Gaza. He notes that many villages in the deep south have been "razed to the ground."
• Infrastructure Collapse: In the town of Nabatieh—historically a major trade hub—the destruction is estimated at 60% to 70%. Despite this, residents are attempting to return to the ruins of their former lives.

Historical Precedent and Fragility

Payen emphasizes that this cycle of violence is not new. He references a previous ceasefire implemented on November 24, 2024, following a major military offensive. The current return of civilians is occurring despite the widespread knowledge that the ceasefire is extremely fragile and could be terminated "in one minute."

The history of the region is characterized by repeated cycles of displacement and return, leading to a sense of resignation among the population. For many, the journey back to the south is described as a "trip to the unknown," as they are returning to areas where they may be physically blocked from crossing the Litani River or finding their homes completely leveled.

Key Perspectives and Quotes

• The IDP Sentiment: Payen quotes displaced individuals: "We are not refugees. How can we be refugees in our own country? We're just displaced and we have to go back. We must go back to the land where we were born."
• The Reality of Return: Payen notes the grim reality facing returnees: "We know that we won't be able to cross the river, the Litani river, and we know that the house where we were born is just raised to the ground."

Synthesis and Conclusion

The situation in Southern Lebanon represents a profound humanitarian crisis where the desire for home and the rejection of the "refugee" status outweigh the tangible risks of military occupation and total infrastructure destruction. The "counter-exodus" is a testament to the failure of long-term stability in the region, as civilians return to a landscape that has been largely razed, knowing that the current ceasefire offers no guarantee of safety. The strategic reality—a 10 km military buffer zone—suggests that for many, the return will not result in a restoration of their previous lives, but rather a confrontation with the total loss of their homes and livelihoods.