Mideast Ceasefire Continues, Irish Elections, Texas Politics
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What is the situation for Lebanese refugees returning home?
As the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon continues into its fourth day. I'm Scott Simon. And I'm Eric Deggans. And this is Up First from NPR News. In many cases, the homes the refugees are headed to are no longer there. We'll have more on that story. Plus, Ireland is counting the votes from an election that revolved largely around housing.
It's very difficult to get out of the home in Ireland. All of my mates live at home with their parents, even the ones in good jobs.
And we'll check in on Texas Republicans who have strengthened their majority in the statehouse.
Stay with us. We have the news you need to start your weekend.
This message comes from Bloomberg Businessweek's newest podcast, Everybody's Business, hosted by Stacey Vanik-Smith and Max Chafkin. The big business stories of the week are just a starting point to their discussion on what's really going on with the economy. Listen every Friday, wherever you get your podcasts.
The Israeli military has ordered Lebanese refugees to keep away from the southern part of the country for now.
But many of them are traveling there anyway, despite the security risks.
And here's Lauren Frayer in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatea. Lauren, thanks for being with us.
Thanks for having me, Scott.
What do you see?
I'm in a village called Kfar Tibneet on a hill across from a crusader castle. This area has lots of history. Every building has been damaged. Most of them have no windows. The balconies have been blown off. There's a car that's burned on the road right next to me. There's a 250-year-old mosque that was hit by an Israeli airstrike. I'm looking at this white stone minaret toppled on its side. Loudspeakers that normally broadcast the call to prayer are bent and twisted. I met a man whose home was destroyed in the last Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006. Hezbollah paid to rebuild his house. Now it's been destroyed again. He's confident that same Hezbollah agent with a clipboard will show up, survey the damage and give him a check.
But the pace of rebuilding could be a lot slower this time because the damage is just orders of magnitude greater.
What do you hear from people who are heading south?
There was jubilation when this ceasefire was announced, but a lot of people are still trying to get home because Israeli troops have cordoned off huge areas of southern Lebanon. They have 60 days to withdraw, and they've published maps with a list of villages where people are not allowed to return. They're under curfew. And so people are in limbo. The Hezbollah leader gave a speech last night declaring this as a divine victory. But it doesn't feel like that for people who can't get home. Israeli troops are still operating in a sort of area of olive groves between where I am and this crusader castle in the distance. It's a strategic vantage point.
How does the truce seem to be holding?
I mean, both sides say it is holding, but there have been several Israeli airstrikes. There's been artillery fire. There's been gunfire. Israel says it's detected violations by Hezbollah and is acting to enforce this ceasefire. Lebanese officials accuse Israel of breaking it. They say returnees with Cars loaded up with belongings are being mistaken for militants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave one of his first interviews since the ceasefire took effect. He spoke to Israeli media saying this ceasefire may well be very short and that Israel is prepared for an intensive war if Hezbollah violates its terms.
What is the current status of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah?
Lauren, let me ask you about the renewed fighting this week in Syria because rebels say they now control much of Aleppo. What do you know about this?
Yeah, so this is the latest chapter in fighting that really began with Syria's civil war in 2011 and has continued on and off ever since. Opposition forces have been battling their way toward Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, for days and now they've entered the city.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What is the situation for Lebanese refugees returning home?
0:07–3:40
2
What are the main issues in the Irish elections?
3:40
3
How are Texas Republicans positioning themselves this session?
0:52–3:00
4
What is the current status of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah?
3:00–6:05
5
What do voters in Ireland think about housing issues?
6:05
6
What is the significance of the election results in Ireland?
5:05–13:09
Speakers
6 identifiedMore from Up First from NPR
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