SHOTLIST: NABATIEH, LEBANON (APR. 21, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS OF DESTRUCTION IN NABATIEH/ VEHICLES MOVING ON ROAD AMID RUBBLE 2. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ONE OF LEBANESE RESIDENTS, BASSEM GURAIB, SAYING: "We hope to have fair and transparent elections. The main challenge is for them to leave us in peace, not to pressure us or do anything out of the ordinary. Despite the immense destruction, we stood firm, raising the flags on the damaged rooftops without lowering our spirits. Therefore, we hope for consensus. The challenge is not the destruction or the material loss; it is the resistance to defend our land. This isn't the first time Khiam have been displaced or destroyed. Just like in 1982, we rebuilt without assistance or compensation because the citizens built it on their own, expanded it, and made it prosper. We're ready to continue if those who consider themselves as "civilized" would just leave us in peace, we will handle the rest." 3. ONE OF VILLAGE HEAD CANDIDATE ALI KHREISS WORKING AT HIS OFFICE 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ONE OF VILLAGE HEAD CANDIDATE ALI KHREISS WORKING AT HIS OFFICE SAYING: "Local elections will be held on time as scheduled in Khiam. The elections will take place in the schools in Khiam. When the locals arrive, they will be saddened by the scenes of their destroyed homes after the Israeli war. These elections have only one difficulty, which is the return of displaced citizens to their areas to vote. I am a candidate for the Mokhtar position, aiming to serve the people. Usually, the Mokhtar is older, around 55 to 65 years of age. There's another candidate along with me. I hope we succeed and meet the people's expectations. Continuous coordination between us, the municipality, and the government will allow us to improve things, not necessarily reconstruct, but with regard to electricity, water, and telecommunications. The Mokhtar is like a local officer, his door is always open to the community. We aim to be open and accessible to everyone." 5. EXTERIOR SHOT OF RUINED MUNICIPALITY BUILDING (TWO SHOTS) 6. VARIOUS OF DESTRUCTION INSIDE MUNICIPALITY BUILDING 7. LOCAL LEBANESE, MUHAMMED AHMED NASSAR, IN DESTRUCTED MUNICIPALITY BUILDING (TWO SHOTS) 8. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ONE OF CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION, SALEEM ABDULLAH, SAYING: "I am Salim Abdullah, a member of the municipal council. We hope that municipal elections will take place. Anyone thinking that the situation in the south will change drastically is dreaming. The next municipal elections will see 60 to 80 percent participation, with everyone wanting to be involved, even amidst the rubble of our homes. Everyone will participate. The municipal elections are crucial, and we are resiliently staying in our land, in Khiam. We won't leave; we belong to the South, sharing its water, and living as one family. This area is very sensitive, thus municipal elections are definite. We hope the situation will improve and the old days will return. Despite the destruction, we continue to live in our homes and run our daily affairs. Whether there are challenges or not, we are firmly rooted here. People of the South are respected, and open-hearted, and teach others honor, open homes, and decency. People of the South are different, and this is a great honor for us. Despite the destruction, we remain here, keeping our businesses open, the elections should take place on time so that we can achieve our dreams for our town of Khiam, for which we have been resisting. Like any other land, Khiam requires effort, work, and reconstruction. We are committed, and time will reveal the truth of our words." 9. VARIOUS OF DESTRUCTION AROUNDNABATIEH, LEBANON - APR. 21: Voters in southern Lebanon are preparing to cast ballots in municipal elections next month amid destruction caused by the Israeli war on the country. According to the Lebanese Interior Ministry, the vote is scheduled to be held in the south on May 25. The vote comes as a fragile ceasefire remains in place since November, which ended months of cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September. Months of Israeli bombardment have caused massive destruction in most towns across southern Lebanon. Like many areas across the south, piles of debris can be seen everywhere in the town of Khiam. Home to nearly 35,000 residents, voters in the town will cast ballots on May 25 to elect a mayor, 21 municipal council members, and heads of 11 villages. “Local elections will be held on time as scheduled in Khiam,” Ali Khreiis, 54, who is running for the head of a village in the polls, told Anadolu. He said that voters will cast their ballots despite the massive destruction caused by the Israeli army. “These elections have only one difficulty, which is the return of displaced citizens to their areas to vote,” he said. “When they arrive, they will be saddened by the scenes of their destroyed homes after the Israeli war,” he said, vowing to supply electricity and water and restore the telephone network if elected. - Infrastructure problems Muhammed Ahmed Nassar, a 78-year-old resident, said the town suffers from many infrastructure problems, including a lack of water, electricity, and phone services. He called on all residents of the town to participate in the upcoming elections. “It is necessary to vote, share your opinion, and support each other,” he said. Bassem Guraib, another resident, expressed hope that the polls will be held in a peaceful atmosphere. “We hope to have transparent and peaceful elections,” he told Anadolu. He stressed that the Lebanese people have not given up on their land. “The challenge is not the destruction or the material loss; it is the resistance to defend our land.” Saleem Abdullah, a candidate in next month’s polls, called on the Lebanese voters to turn out in droves during the polls. “The elections should take place on time so that we can achieve our dreams for our town of Khiam, for which we have been resisting,” Abdullah said. “We hope the situation will improve and the old days will return. Despite the destruction, we continue to live in our homes and run our daily affairs,” he added. Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.