Displaced Lebanese Resident Awaits US-Iran Deal to Return South

Hala Nemr Baz is waiting for the formal signing of an interim U.S.-Iran peace deal before returning to her home in southern Lebanon.

Her situation reflects the precarious nature of displacement for thousands of Lebanese civilians caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts. While diplomatic agreements offer hope, the transition from a tentative ceasefire to actual safety on the ground remains uncertain for those who fled their villages.

Baz, 51 ^[1], is a resident of Chehabiyeh, a village in the south. She fled her home and took refuge in Beirut three days after the Hezbollah-Israel war erupted in March 2024 [1, 3]. The conflict forced her to abandon her property and seek safety in the capital, where she has remained since the initial escalation.

An interim peace deal between the U.S. and Iran was announced June 15, 2024 ^[2]. Baz is now monitoring the implementation of this agreement, hoping it will provide the security guarantees necessary for her to return to Chehabiyeh. The deal aims to stabilize the region and reduce the hostilities that triggered the mass displacement of civilians.

The impact of the announcement was immediate. Thousands of displaced people and their belongings were seen heading south on Monday following the tentative deal ^[4]. This movement suggests a widespread eagerness among the displaced population to reclaim their homes as soon as possible.

However, the return has not been without warning. While fighting in Lebanon has eased, it has not halted completely ^[5]. Some officials and observers have warned displaced residents not to rush home prematurely, citing the risk that the ceasefire may not be fully secure across all sectors of the south ^[5].

For residents like Baz, the gap between a diplomatic announcement and a safe return is measured by the reality of the security environment. She remains in Beirut, balancing the desire to return to her village with the need for a verified end to the hostilities.