1.
GV Chebaa and bus loaded with salvaged property
0.05

2.
SV Villagers by heap of rubble
0.08

3.
MV Shell-pitted house, PAN to debris
0.13

4.
MV Woman and child outside shelled house
0.16

5.
SV ZOOM TO GV.. wrecked house
0.21

6.
MV Shell hole in wall PAN to debris
0.26

7.
MV PAN..Debris
0.30

8.
MV View through shell hole
0.35

9.
SV Hole in roof - ZOOM TO SV..wall
0.38

10.
MV TILT from debris to building
0.45

11.
MV PAN..from salvaged household goods to man
0.48

12.
MV Easychairs PAN to refrigerator
0.51

13.
SV Villagers load truck with goods - PAN to activity around bus
1.00

14.
SV Laden truck along
1.07

15.
SV Laden car towards camera
1.10



Initials LN/JF/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: About 4,800 inhabitants from the south-east Lebanese town of Chebaa have been leaving their homes during the past two days following extensive Israeli attacks on the region.

The evacuation followed a mass demonstration in Beirut on Tuesday (August 25) by villagers demanding government protection from Israeli shelling. In spite of the Middle East cease-fire in effect since midnight of August 7, south eastern section of Lebanon has been the target of heavy bombardment.

On Thursday, villagers said that they would not leave their homes and would remain in Chebba, but after a night of heavy shelling most of the town's 8,000 inhabitants packed up their household goods in preparation for leaving.

The Lebanese cabinet agreed to supply four buses to carry the Chebaa evacuees to the towns of Nabatiyeh and Marjeyoun, and also sent a lorry loaded with food and other essentials. Ten officials have been appointed to see that basic services are provided, and arrangements have been made making medical treatment available to any villager in need of it.

The Lebanese government has also promised the villagers compensation and reconstruction of damaged house, and the re-building of houses which were destroyed in the shelling.

The Arqoub area in which Chebaa is located is a launching point for Palestinian commando activities against Israel, and has received heavy damages as a result of the fighting.

Villagers in the area have also suffered economically, and have had to abandon their apple, cherry and pear orchards when it became too dangerous for farmers to get to the slopes of Mount Hebron, where most of the orchards are located.