800,000 displaced Lebanese defy Israeli violations, return home (AlMayadeen)
More than 800,000 people displaced by the Israeli war on Lebanon have begun returning to their hometowns following a lull in violence, the United Nations stated.
The UN humanitarian agency, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), reported that “821,077 people had begun the return to their areas of origin as of 30 July.” The agency also noted, however, that more than 360,000 individuals remain displaced, with approximately 26,000 of them staying in government shelters.
According to OCHA, damage to water and electricity infrastructure caused by the war has severely impacted access to water for more than 700,000 people in southern Lebanon.
The announcement late Tuesday coincided with the start of a new round of US-sponsored talks in Rome between Lebanon and “Israel” despite ongoing Israeli violations. The discussions are scheduled to continue until Thursday.
Lebanon rules out ‘Israel’ would agree to new ‘pilot zones’
Talks continue even though the Lebanese presidency has ruled out the possibility that “Israel” would agree to a proposed new “pilot zone” in southern Lebanon, as the seventh round of direct talks between Lebanese authorities and Israeli officials entered its most difficult phase.
Al Mayadeen‘s correspondent in Beirut reported that the latest round of talks, taking place in Rome under US sponsorship, has become the most challenging since negotiations began. According to the correspondent, a Lebanese proposal had suggested designating either the southern city of al-Khiam or Bint Jbeil as a “pilot zone” from which Israeli forces would withdraw, though sources close to the Lebanese negotiating team said the proposal was not discussed during Wednesday’s session.
Sources at the Lebanese presidency also expressed skepticism that the Israeli government would approve any new “pilot zone” arrangement. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army firmly rejected that Israeli forces would carry out verifications of its troops’ work in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese delegation presents violations documentation in Rome talks
During the talks, the Lebanese delegation reportedly presented an extensive briefing documenting ongoing Israeli violations in southern Lebanon. The delegation also addressed the issue of border demarcation between Lebanon and occupied Palestine, according to reports.
The seventh round of direct talks is being held at the US Embassy in Rome and is expected to continue for three days. The Lebanese delegation is headed by Ambassador Simon Karam and includes Ambassador Nada Maalouf alongside a military delegation.
