Protest at the Government Palace: Where Are the Housing Subsidies for Displaced People, Lebanon's Government?

Residents from occupied and damaged towns in the south organized a large-scale sit-in before the government palace building in Nabatiye city, "protesting the Israeli aggression, affirming their commitment to the south and its land, demanding reconstruction, compensation, housing allowances, rejecting foreign interventions in government decisions, and violations of sovereignty and decision-making freedom.

The protesters raised Lebanese flags and photos of destroyed towns, holding banners affirming their attachment to their land and rights, inscribed with: "Destroying homes will not break our determination," "Our sit-in is for our demands," "Our sit-in is in protest against foreign interventions," "Where are the housing subsidies for the displaced, O Lebanon government?", "Supporting the south is a national duty," while patriotic and enthusiastic songs echoed.

Participating in the sit-in were former minister Mustafa Birem, Ali Qansoh representing leader of the "Velayat al-Muqawama" bloc MP Muhammad Raad, presidents of municipal unions and mayors from Nabatiye governorate, religious scholars, and a large number of residents from occupied and damaged towns who gathered from their displacement locations.

Fakhredin

After the national anthem and an introductory speech by Mayor Muhammad Harb of Zoutr al-Sharqiya village, Nabatiye city mayor Abbas Fakhredin delivered a speech urging the state to "return the displaced, rebuild the area, secure shelter, work seriously and diligently to free prisoners, accelerate the return of institutions and official administrations, especially security ones, and strengthen their presence and support for the city."

He also called for increasing electricity supply hours, stating that "Nabatiye city and its surroundings must be prioritized, and residents of occupied villages must be given priority in all ministry programs."

Fakhredin emphasized "the southern people's steadfastness on their land and their defense of it regardless of the cost, calling for national unity as a guarantee for Lebanon's survival and resistance against the enemy," citing Imam Musa al-Sadr’s words: "Internal peace is the best face of war," and stressing that "the golden triad: army, people, resistance," is the hallmark of strength and dignity.

Faqih

Meanwhile, Kfar Tabaneh mayor Dr. Muhammad Faqih stated, "This demonstration carries the voice of the displaced, patient people who remain attached to their land and their right to return." He affirmed, "What is needed today is greater support, greater presence, and a louder voice."

He noted that "since mid-June, following what was dubbed the 'framework agreement,' over 80 percent of residential units in Kfar Tabaneh, Yehmer, Arnoun, Zoutr al-Sharqiya, and other villages along the border strip have been demolished and bombed, along with commercial establishments and businesses," calling this "the ground reality of the framework agreement."

Faqih addressed the situation in Zoutr al-Gharbiya, saying: "The town, which was said to become a model area, has now, according to his words, become 'without roads, without water, without electricity, without homes, and above all, exposed to enemy drones.'"

He pointed out that "residents of Nabatiye al-Fuqa were still entering their town until recently, but today they are banned from entering it."

Faqih criticized the non-application of the exemption law covering Nabatiye governorate, noting that electricity and phone bills continue to be charged, stating: "Displaced people are paying for their displacement and the destruction of their homes, after hearing promises of shelter, reconstruction, assistance for displaced persons and workers, and support for businesses, factories, and farmers."

He added: "From today, we will not welcome any official who does not bring a clear project, a clear decision, and a clear implementation plan. If someone wants to visit Nabatiye just to look around, let them come like any citizen visiting Nabatiye. As for us, enough promises."

Faqih demanded "real aid for the displaced and housing allowances," saying: "There are funds coming under the name of the displaced and promises of help—we want these funds to reach their rightful owners, and for citizens to feel their state stands beside them in their hardship."

He also raised concerns about educational institutions, questioning the closure of a university complex, schools, and vocational institutes outside the yellow line, noting they host nearly 11,000 students, leading to student dispersion and loss of livelihood for teachers and staff, and demanding "protection of these institutions and securing constant, intensive security presence in the area—from teacher housing to the university district."

He concluded with a call to "activate the role of the state and its institutions, and accelerate the return of official departments to work," urging "activation of Nabatiye governorate’s role and ensuring its tangible presence during this exceptional phase, and expediting the appointment of an authentic governor who follows up on people’s affairs, towns, displaced persons, and institutions, and serves as the governorate’s voice to the central state."

Birem

In turn, former minister Mustafa Birem emphasized that "this sit-in is not about slogans, but about affirming core principles," stressing that "those who made the greatest sacrifices will not relinquish even one inch of our land or a single grain of soil from our country," and that "the occupied villages will see their people return honored, noble, and dignified."

He said: "Anyone wishing to plant the Lebanese flag in these villages must do so in the name of the people, witnessed by the people, in honor of the sacrifices, and worthy of all those sacrifices." Adding: "We will not plant the flag in secret and flee; we will plant it with pride and dignity, standing tall like the cedar of the Lebanese flag."

Birem affirmed "pressure on the Lebanese government and authorities," declaring his rejection of what he termed the "framework agreement, an agreement of shame," calling it "an unconstitutional agreement with no value, which covers aggression," stating: "An agreement that covers aggression is as fallen as the aggression itself."

He added: "What is written in Israeli ink will fade away, but what is written in the blood of martyrs will grow," reaffirming Imam Sayyid Musa al-Sadr’s statement that "Israel is absolute evil, and dealing with it is forbidden."

He called for Lebanese unity in all its forms, "from the unity of the resistance environment to national unity, to the presence of the state through all its institutions, and adherence to the honorable return of the displaced, and accelerating the disbursement of housing and reconstruction funds."

He said: "There are funds designated for this purpose, yet we are being denied access to them to pressure us and break our will."

Birem added: "They are wrongdoers; our will cannot be broken. We are the kings of will, the revolutionaries of will, and its guardians. We are the last line of defense for humanity in this world."

He warned against changing "the compass in this world," urging attention to what he described as "the reversed poisoned arrow that places blame on the victim and exonerates the aggressor," firmly stating: "This is a criminal, arrogant, and usurping enemy."