Intense Israeli airstrikes on the Qusayr region in western Homs, Syria, along with Israel’s escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, are forcing residents to flee. Many are choosing not to return, while some are selling their homes at very low prices.
“Living there is nearly impossible with Hezbollah’s presence and Israeli airstrikes hitting the entire area,” said one resident.
A man in his fifties, originally from Qusayr and displaced since 2011, says he has been given “security approval” to return to his home in the northern part of the city.
However, he fears doing so because of the frequent Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah's presence.
From his current home in Homs, he told Asharq Al-Awsat: “How can I take my family to certain death? Two young men from the area recently died in Israeli strikes after returning from Lebanon.”
He added: “They fled death in Lebanon, but were killed in Qusayr.”
He noted that only a few families have returned, and they live in constant fear of the ongoing airstrikes.
A university student who visits the area occasionally said the situation is “very bad” due to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah targets.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The situation for families there is heartbreaking. They’ve barely repaired their homes, and displaced families from Qusayr are struggling with high rents and rising costs.”
“They want to return but are too scared,” he added.
“If Israel's reason is Hezbollah’s presence, why doesn’t this end? Civilians are dying in airstrikes—what did they do wrong? And what about the families suffering from displacement and high costs?,” the student wondered.
Due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes, many returning residents are leaving again, with some selling their homes for very low prices. Brokers are offering to buy large homes for 200 million Syrian pounds, though their market value is over 700 million, according to a local source.
The source added: “When some families were allowed to return, they were hopeful. But it seems Hezbollah’s control over the area won’t end soon. Living under these conditions is very hard, and the situation has worsened with the ongoing Israeli bombing.”
