In Sour (Tyr), in southern Lebanon, hundreds of families returned to their devastated homes after the ceasefire, but Israeli raids are making some neighborhoods uninhabitable. Since September, the Israeli air force has been targeting this coastal town of 120,000 inhabitants whose ancient sites are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. Entire neighborhoods were severely damaged; Hundreds of homes and vital infrastructure were destroyed.
The mayor, Hassan Dbouq, told AFP that “more than fifty buildings of three to twelve floors were completely destroyed by the strikes”and dozens of others damaged up to 60%. “We can say that no house was spared”he emphasizes. The city's streets were clogged on Thursday with the return of hundreds of residents, but all shops and restaurants remained closed. According to the mayor, “There is no more electricity in the neighborhoods most affected by the Israeli strikes.” On November 18, an Israeli strike targeted the water board, destroying the building and killing two employees. The strike deprived 30,000 subscribers of water in the city and its surroundings, explains the president of the Office, Walid Barakat.
It also destroyed water pumps and their network of pipes. “There were no rockets or launch pads here. It is a vital public infrastructure targeted by Israeli aggression”denounces Mr. Barakat. Reconstruction will take three to six months, he estimates.
