Families flee south Lebanon again amid ceasefire violations

Dozens of Lebanese families who returned to south Lebanon last week following the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel have again left their homes for safer areas as violations of the ceasefire continue.

"I packed my stuff and children up after we came last week to our home near Tyre in southern Lebanon and returned to the house I was renting in Mount Lebanon," Haj abu Mohammed told dpa.

Dozens of cars could be seen on the South Lebanon Highway loaded with mattresses and belongings and heading towards areas in north Lebanon and the Mount Lebanon region in the centre of the country on Tuesday.

On Monday night, Israel launched a series of airstrikes, killing nine people, after accusing Hezbollah militants of breaching the ceasefire.

Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire since it came into force last Wednesday.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli military has repeatedly launched air and ground attacks at targets in Lebanon, citing violations by Hezbollah of the ceasefire.

"We survived the war, but I do not want to lose my children. They were terrified last night when they heard the bombing again," Abu Mohammed said.

"We do not care who started the violations. We care about living in peace with our families," said Fatima, who returned north from the south of the country.

She said her family had decided to spend the winter in a safe area in Mount Lebanon, adding that this will grant them time to see how the situation develops in south Lebanon.

Hezbollah has said it is going to rebuild people's homes, and buy furniture and pay rent for one year for those who lost their homes in the conflict.

"Yes Hezbollah is helping a lot and we are grateful, but I think what we want is our families to return to their villages and live in peace," Zeinab, a resident of the town of Ghaizieh in south Lebanon, told dpa.