Khiam, Lebanon - Recent

Displaced Lebanese residents returned to their town, which borders Israel, to pray and mourn a Amal Movement member who was killed in the recent cross-border violence between Israel and Hezbollah.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah towards Israel in solidarity with Hamas's attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery towards southeastern Lebanon.

The town of Khiam, which is on the Lebanese-Israeli border, has been surrounded by Israeli troops. The town saw its displaced residents return recently, to take part in the funeral of a member of the Amal Movement.

Some residents said they had hoped Gaza ceasefire talks would be successful, bringing peace back to the front lines in southern Lebanon, but they were upset by the failed rounds of negotiations.

Some residents said they chose to stay in neighboring villages, despite the close proximity to the front line, which comes under Israeli attacks daily.

Israeli and Hezbollah forces engaged in extensive exchanges of fire early Sunday morning along the Israel-Lebanon border, marking a significant escalation in their longstanding conflict.

Hezbollah announced it had launched hundreds of missiles into Israel in retaliation for the killing of its commander, Fouad Shokor, in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut last month. In response, Israel reported conducting numerous preemptive airstrikes targeting Hezbollah's rocket launchers in southern Lebanon.

Shotlist:
Khiam, Lebanon - Recent:
1. Various of mourning residents on street;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) resident (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"I didn't lose my home, and I came to say goodbye to someone dear to me. I am sad that we can't come to our villages like the rest of the Lebanese. We had hoped for the negotiations, and unfortunately with each round of negotiations, our disappointment grows.";
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3. Flags;
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4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) resident (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 5):
"The areas around us are experiencing raids and shelling, and those who remain are few. Normal life no longer exists, but we will remain steadfast in the face of any aggressor on our land. We can secure our needs from the surrounding Christian and Druze villages, and they cooperate with us and stand by us.";
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5. Various of residents carrying coffin;
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6. Various of mourning residents.

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