In Sour (Tyr), southern Lebanon, hundreds of families returned to their devastated homes following the ceasefire, but Israeli raids are making some neighborhoods uninhabitable. Since September, the Israeli air force has been attacking this coastal city of 120,000 inhabitants whose ancient sites are listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Entire neighborhoods suffered serious damage; Hundreds of homes and vital infrastructure were destroyed.
The mayor, Hassan Dbouq, told AFP that “More than fifty buildings between three and twelve floors were completely destroyed by the attacks”and dozens more suffered damage of up to 60%. “We can say that no house was saved”underlines. City streets became congested Thursday with the return of hundreds of residents, but all shops and restaurants remained closed. According to the mayor, “There is no longer electricity in the neighborhoods most affected by the Israeli attacks.” On November 18, an Israeli attack 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 its pipe network. “There were no rockets or launch pads here. “It is a vital public infrastructure target of Israeli aggression.”Barakat denounces. The reconstruction will take between three and six months, he estimates.
