## Residents of Baalbek Face Harrowing Return to Destruction After Cease-Fire

### The aftermath of the latest conflict in Baalbek reveals deep sorrow among residents as they sift through rubble and rebuild lives.

Amid the rubble of Baalbek, Lebanon's ancient city, residents are returning to confront the devastation left behind after a cease-fire concluded the most lethal conflict the nation has witnessed in decades. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of individuals who had evacuated the area rushed back to survey their homes and neighborhood in the wake of intense Israeli aerial bombardments.

Life is gradually returning to the community, with young residents capturing moments in front of historic landmarks and venturing into the streets on motorbikes. However, the visible remnants of the violence are stark; buildings lie in ruins, while uninhabitable spaces echo with the memories of the dead still entombed under the debris.

“Why must we endure such suffering?” questioned 79-year-old Taflah Amar, who is among the last few residents whose homes have escaped complete destruction. She lamented the loss and grief that has consumed her life while gathering broken remnants from her surroundings.

The resilience displayed by many as they embark on the process of rebuilding is shadowed by a collective sorrow and disbelief. The community's future hangs uncertain, reliant on the prospect of recovery amidst the chaos, as they each reflect on the personal and communal losses that this conflict has wrought. The sentiment among many resonates loudly: "Nobody won" in this devastating chapter of Baalbek’s history.