As Israel invades south Lebanon, many worry they’ll never go home : NPR

Key Points:

• The Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon has triggered one of the largest and fastest displacements in Lebanon's history, forcing over a million people—about 20% of the population—to evacuate areas south of the Zahrani River due to intense airstrikes.
• Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israeli Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have stated their intent to destroy Lebanese homes to prevent Hezbollah militants from returning and to establish a security zone along the northern border, with restrictions on residents returning to evacuated areas until Israeli security is assured.
• Human rights groups warn that the broad and indefinite evacuation orders may constitute a war crime, as they cause widespread panic and potentially deny civilians the right to return to their homes after hostilities end.
• Local residents and officials express deep uncertainty and fear, with some, like shepherd Joseph Elias Issa, fearing they may never return to their ancestral lands, while others, like shop manager Grace Rizk, remain determined to stay despite ongoing airstrikes.
• The conflict recalls previous Israeli occupations of southern Lebanon, but local leaders like Jezzine's mayor David El Helou describe the current war as more serious, highlighting Lebanon's inability to enforce ceasefire terms and remove militants from the area.