Towns and villages in southern Lebanon are being levelled by Israeli demolitions, as satellite images and videos reveal extensive damage caused by military operations. BBC Verify reports that over 1,400 buildings have been destroyed since March 2, 2026, with ongoing analysis suggesting the true extent of the damage may be even greater due to limited access on the ground.
The demolitions are part of a strategy ordered by Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, aimed at destroying homes near the Israeli border, following a model used in Gaza. Experts have raised concerns that this widespread destruction may constitute a war crime under international law.
In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintains that their operations comply with the Law of Armed Conflict, asserting that destruction is only permissible for military necessity. However, claims have emerged suggesting that this approach is systematically targeting civilian areas where Hezbollah operations may be present.
The conflict has escalated since Hezbollah launched retaliatory attacks against Israel, resulting in a significant military response from the IDF, including airstrikes and ground operations. As a consequence, more than 1.2 million people are reported to be displaced across Lebanon, with many fleeing to safer regions or other countries.
The impact of demolitions can be clearly seen in areas such as Taybeh, where extensive destruction has left the town nearly unrecognizable and raised alarms about the humanitarian implications of these military actions.
UN officials have described the scale of destruction as "heartbreaking," highlighting the permanent loss to communities represented by the destroyed buildings. With the ongoing conflict, the situation remains fluid and dire for those affected.
