Lebanese find bones and memories of Israeli abuse in Khiam's ruins

Mountains of rubble and debris line the roads in Khiam, on Lebanon’s eastern border with Israel. Months of heavy fighting between Hezbollah and Israel have left most of the town unrecognisable. 

The buildings still standing are ridden with bullet holes. Some walls and doors have been entirely blasted off, revealing overturned furniture inside. Others bore traces of the presence of Israeli soldiers, who had occupied the area for around six weeks before withdrawing on 12 December. 

Trash left by Israeli forces is littered throughout homes, and walls have been vandalised with provocative graffiti.

In one three-storey house, past the military schedules scrawled into the stairwell, Israeli soldiers had scattered their faeces in bags around the rooftop. 

Despite the destruction, Khiam’s residents are still returning. 

Read more: Lebanese find bones and memories of Israeli abuse in Khiam's ruins