Israel Demolishes Over 1,400 Buildings in Southern Lebanon, Expands Military Posts
Key Takeaways
- Israel expands southern Lebanon ground assault with more troops and new posts.
- Homes demolished in Bint Jbeil, Hanine, and other southern towns.
- Civilian casualties and widespread destruction reported across southern towns.
Israeli Demolitions in Southern Lebanon
BBC Verify analysis found more than 1,400 buildings destroyed since March 2 based on verified visual evidence.
“The Israeli army is expanding its ground offensive in southern Lebanon, establishing additional military positions and demolishing homes in operations similar to the deadly assault carried out in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Wednesday”
Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered to accelerate the destruction of Lebanese homes based on the model in Gaza.
The systematic demolition may amount to a war crime, international law experts told BBC Verify.
The IDF said it operates in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict and does not allow destruction of property unless there is an imperative military necessity.
More than 1.2 million people are estimated to have been displaced across Lebanon.
The Lebanese health ministry says more than 2,000 people have been killed since the war began.
Expansion of Israeli Ground Offensive
The Israeli army is expanding its ground offensive in southern Lebanon, deploying five divisions.
The army maintained control of five border hilltops following the 2024 ceasefire.
Engineering units and bulldozers are demolishing buildings in villages near the border fence.
An unnamed Israeli military source told Haaretz: We are acting exactly as in Gaza.
Israeli Army Radio reported senior military officials are seeking to intensify ground operations.
The area currently under Israeli control extends about 10 kilometers from the border.
Destruction in Specific Towns
In Taybeh, more than 400 buildings including a mosque have been levelled.
“- Published Towns and villages in southern Lebanon are being levelled by Israeli demolitions, satellite images and videos obtained by BBC Verify reveal”
More than 460 buildings had been demolished in Aita al-Shaab alone.
In Naqoura, at least 100 buildings have been levelled.
Explosions have damaged the headquarters of the UN's peacekeeping mission.
In Bint Jbeil, clashes were concentrated at several points as heavy shelling continued.
The Ain Ebel municipality affirmed full solidarity with Bint Jbeil.
Casualties and Humanitarian Impact
The Israeli war on Lebanon has left at least 2,167 dead and 7,061 injured.
More than a million people have been displaced.
The Lebanese health ministry says more than 2,000 people have been killed since the war began.
The UN OCHA estimated more than 1.2 million people displaced across Lebanon.
Many have been forced to flee to areas further north or cross into Syria.
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