At the bottom of the steps leading down from her house in Abbasiyeh, southern Lebanon, Hanane Farfour scanned the sky. It was a “daily reflex” for this 42-year-old woman, who, every time she left her home, checked for Israeli drones, usually buzzing, but sometimes silent. On the morning of Friday, December 19, beneath the blue sky, there was no sign of white aircraft. Locals said this was an exception.

Day in and day out, Israeli drones make life miserable for people in southern Lebanon, many of whom are displaced. Whether carrying out reconnaissance or bombing missions, these drones have been omnipresent since the ceasefire of November 27, 2024, which was supposed to end hostilities – a two-month war in autumn 2024 that followed nearly a year of low-intensity conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. But Israel has continued its attacks in Lebanon. Strikes take place every week in the south, with the Israeli army claiming to target members or sites of the armed militia, an ally of Tehran. Civilians, however, have also been killed.

“I can’t get used to the presence of drones. I get goosebumps whenever I hear their noise. It brings back memories of the war. And I feel like I’m being watched, even in my bathroom,” said Farfour, who works in publishing and owns a confectionery shop. From her house, the view of the snowy Mount Hermon to the east was breathtaking. “The message sent to the people of the south by the constant presence of Israeli drones is clear,” continued the mother of three. “‘We see you. We’re maintaining a siege on your region.’ It’s a way of trying to control people’s minds.”

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