Drones, Explosions and Demolitions Raise Concerns Among Returning Residents of Southern Lebanon
WEST ZAWTAR, LEBANON — October 8, 2026: Residents of West Zawtar, a village in southern Lebanon presented as the first test of a US-backed plan for reducing Israel’s military presence, say they continue to face insecurity, damaged homes and limited access to essential services despite the withdrawal of Israeli troops from their village in July.

According to a Reuters report published on October 8, Israeli military vehicles and troops remain in the neighbouring village of East Zawtar. Residents of West Zawtar report frequent surveillance by drones, nearby military patrols and explosions as Israeli forces demolish structures in surrounding areas.

The situation has raised questions about whether the proposed pilot-zone arrangement can provide lasting security and support the return of displaced Lebanese families.

Residents Return to Damaged Homes

For many residents, returning home has brought relief alongside significant difficulties. Mariam al-Yaghi, a 67-year-old resident, described hearing Israeli soldiers and military vehicles nearby while dealing with extensive damage to her property.

Her home suffered damage that included broken windows and damage to its water tank. Military activity also affected her garden, where olive trees were reportedly uprooted.

Residents say the proximity of Israeli forces and the presence of surveillance drones have become part of daily life. Although some families have returned, many homes remain damaged, and rebuilding requires money and access to materials and services.

The difficulties are particularly serious for households that cannot afford rent elsewhere but also lack the resources to repair their properties.

What Is the US-Backed Pilot-Zone Plan?

West Zawtar became the first test of a US-backed proposal intended to support a gradual Israeli military withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon in exchange for steps toward disarming Hezbollah, the armed group backed by Iran.

Israeli troops withdrew from West Zawtar in July 2026. However, no additional pilot zones had been agreed upon by the time of the Reuters report in October.

The Israeli military said the effort to remove threats posed by Hezbollah’s weapons had not been completed. It also said surveillance drones were being used to identify potential threats and that movement restrictions were intended to protect Israeli troops.

A US State Department spokesperson described the pilot-zone process as a viable path toward security for both Lebanon and Israel. The spokesperson said expansion would depend on clearance operations by the Lebanese army and linked Hezbollah’s disarmament to the process.

These positions illustrate the continuing disagreement over security arrangements, military presence and the conditions needed for a wider withdrawal.

Demolitions in Nearby Villages

East Zawtar, located close to West Zawtar, remains occupied by Israeli forces, according to the report. Residents and displaced families have described seeing damage to buildings and hearing explosions associated with controlled demolitions.

For people who were forced to leave their homes, the destruction has created additional uncertainty about whether they will be able to return.

Some displaced East Zawtar residents have gathered in West Zawtar, where they can see their former village across nearby farmland and olive groves. The situation has made the consequences of the conflict visible to families who are attempting to rebuild their lives.

The destruction of homes and the continued presence of troops also complicate the restoration of local infrastructure and normal economic activity.

Electricity and Water Remain Major Challenges

West Zawtar’s mayor, Abed Ezzedine, said the pilot-zone arrangement had fallen short of expectations, particularly because electricity and running water remained largely unavailable.

According to the report, approximately 70 families had returned to the village, with many living in the less-damaged sections of their homes.

Lebanon’s Council for the South had delivered 16 prefabricated houses for families whose properties were uninhabitable. However, many of these units remained unused because electricity and water connections were not available.

Workers had begun extending electrical lines, but restoring services was complicated by the location of the village’s former electricity connection, which ran through East Zawtar.

Without reliable utilities, residents face obstacles to rebuilding homes, resuming normal routines and encouraging more displaced families to return.

Olive Harvest Adds to Residents’ Concerns

Agriculture is another concern for families whose livelihoods depend on olive trees and farmland. The harvest season has begun, but some groves are close to Israeli military positions.

Residents have reportedly sought permission to reach their trees through a US-led coordination mechanism involving the Lebanese and Israeli militaries.

The process has created frustration among people who depend on their land for income and food. Some worry that permission could arrive too late for the harvest, while others face uncertainty about whether they can safely reach their fields.

Damage to olive trees and restrictions on access to farmland may have consequences beyond the immediate conflict, affecting household earnings and the recovery of rural communities.

A Fragile Situation Despite the Ceasefire

The wider conflict has caused extensive displacement across Lebanon. The Reuters report said more than one million people fled their homes after Israel launched air strikes and a ground invasion in parallel with the war involving Iran, following attacks by Hezbollah.

Although a ceasefire was agreed in June and US-brokered discussions have continued, Israeli forces remain in a self-declared security zone encompassing dozens of Lebanese villages. The report also described continued military strikes and demolitions in surrounding areas.

The future of the pilot-zone initiative remains uncertain. Its progress depends on security arrangements, the role of the Lebanese army, the question of Hezbollah’s weapons and negotiations involving Lebanon, Israel and international mediators.

For West Zawtar’s residents, the immediate priorities are more practical: safe access to homes and farmland, restored electricity and water, and conditions that allow families to rebuild without fearing further displacement.

What Happens Next?

West Zawtar highlights the gap that can exist between a diplomatic framework and the daily realities experienced by people living near a conflict zone.

The village was intended to serve as an example of a possible path toward a gradual military withdrawal. Yet residents continue to report insecurity, while damaged infrastructure and the presence of Israeli forces in neighbouring areas hinder recovery.

Whether the model can be expanded will depend on developments on the ground and the ability of the parties involved to establish workable security arrangements. For now, residents face an uncertain recovery, with many still waiting for essential services and safer conditions.

PK-News.com will continue to follow developments in Lebanon, regional security negotiations and the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.