BEIRUT, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Around his home in the village of Kfarchouba, 50-year-old Jalal Yahya was carefully clearing away debris.

Like many in Lebanon's southern border villages, what greeted Yahya's return was a barely recognizable hometown. "Ramadan has lost its joy here," he said, with heavy sorrow. "Grief now fills our lives after we lost everything."

For Yahya and his neighbors, the Muslim holy month, traditionally a time of reflection and celebration, has been overshadowed by loss, uncertainty, and the ongoing struggle to survive. Israeli military operations in the region have left widespread destruction: shattered homes, crippled infrastructure, and a palpable sense of fear.

Religious practice, an indispensable component of Ramadan, has been turned into an unattainable dream, as Israeli military operations even rendered collective gatherings at destroyed mosques impossible.

Joumana Abdallah, a 60-year-old woman from the town of Khiam, described the painful reality of this year's Ramadan. "My family is scattered. Everyone is in a different place. It's nearly impossible to reunite for iftar (the fast-breaking meal at sunset during Ramadan). Many are afraid to come back because Israeli drones still target civilians," she said.

Recalling the past, she sighed, "We used to eagerly await iftar, gathering with loved ones around tables full of food and then enjoying long nights of laughter. Now, displacement has stolen that joy."

According to initial municipal surveys, only about 15 percent of the 113,000 residents in Lebanon's 37 border villages have returned after the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of the Lebanese army.

In Wazzani, a village near the eastern border, relief workers are assisting the returnees. "We distribute food parcels with essentials like oil, grains, and canned goods, but the needs are much greater than what we can provide," said Hassan Fakih, a volunteer from a humanitarian group.

"Here, people are more concerned about shelter and security than food," Fakih noted.

The heart-rending reality implies an economic crisis in Lebanon, one of the worst in the last 150 years, so severe that the International Monetary Fund has repeatedly urged economic reforms in the country.

"Poverty and unemployment are worse than ever. Our livelihoods have been wiped out since the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated on Oct. 8, 2023," Yahya explained.

A ceasefire agreement has been in place since Nov. 27, 2024, ending the nearly 14 months of hostilities and promising a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon by Jan. 26. However, the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 at the request of the United States. Still, Israeli forces maintain control over five key strategic positions along the border beyond the Feb. 18 deadline, raising concerns over the sustainability of the truce.

In Shebaa, one of the few mosques still standing has become a gathering point for returnees. Hassan Al-Khatib, 30, said only a handful of families have come back. "Most are waiting to see how things develop," he explained.

Despite immense difficulties, many still strive to uphold the spirit of Ramadan. "People still break their fast together whatever little food they have, attend prayers when possible, and find strength in their faith," Al-Khatib said. Enditem

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