Nabatiyeh, a southern Lebanese city of approximately 80,000 residents, has been heavily damaged by Israeli military operations targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Nearly the entire population has been displaced due to bombardments and evacuation orders, leaving the city largely emptied with extensive destruction throughout residential and commercial areas.
Parliamentary office worker Najib Ayyad has returned to his damaged apartment to retrieve belongings, though he cannot remain there. His building sustained significant damage from airstrikes, with broken furniture and shattered windows. The apartment overlooks Beaufort Castle, a historic fortress now occupied by Israeli forces. Ayyad currently stays with his daughter in Beirut, unable to afford alternative housing in the damaged city.
The conflict has caused substantial civilian casualties and casualties among first responders. Lebanese health officials report at least 4,200 deaths since March 2, with at least one in five being women or children. Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 130 Lebanese first responders, including a 16-year-old paramedic and volunteer rescue workers. An investigation by Amnesty International into a March 31 airstrike documented the deaths of a family of six, including four children, with no apparent military targets nearby. Israel stated it was investigating but provided no further details when queried.
Despite the devastation, some residents demonstrate resilience by attempting to rebuild. A convenience store operator reopened her damaged shop with minimal supplies after fleeing to Beirut, restocking shelves and replacing a broken door with plastic sheeting. Paramedic volunteers continue operating from a converted house, responding to emergencies despite losses among their ranks. City officials indicate extensive reconstruction work remains necessary before residents can safely return, citing both security concerns and the absence of basic services and infrastructure.
The city’s historic covered market, a commercial center for centuries, now lies in rubble. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in July that Israeli forces had demolished more than 15,000 homes in border villages as part of what Israel describes as a security buffer zone intended to prevent attacks from Hezbollah.
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