Towns and villages in southern Lebanon are being levelled by Israeli demolitions, as uncovered by satellite images and videos from BBC Verify. This analysis has confirmed that over 1,400 buildings have been destroyed since March 2, 2026, highlighting the extensive impact of the ongoing conflict.
These demolitions follow an order from Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, to accelerate the destruction of homes near the Israeli border, largely influenced by tactics employed in Gaza against the militant group Hamas.
The systematic demolition of these structures has sparked debate among international law experts, with some positing that the actions may constitute war crimes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claim to operate in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict, asserting that the destruction of property is only permissible under imperative military necessity.
Following increased tensions after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in March, the IDF has conducted strikes across Lebanon, targeting alleged Hezbollah infrastructure. This military campaign has since displaced an estimated 1.2 million people, severely impacting communities across the region.
The on-ground destruction has transformed once-thriving villages into landscapes of dust and debris, with towns like Taybeh experiencing particularly intense demolitions. The vast destruction is raising alarm among international observers, with further analysis expected to reveal the true scale of the damage.
Experts continue to challenge the legitimacy of these military strategies, emphasizing that international humanitarian law prohibits the widespread destruction of civilian property without clear military justification.
