Israel Destroys Entire Villages in Southern Lebanon With Mass Explosions
Key Takeaways
- Israel destroyed entire villages in south Lebanon using remote detonations.
- Homes were rigged with explosives and razed across affected villages.
- Described as part of a broader invasion of south Lebanon.
Israel Destroys Lebanese Villages
The Israeli military has demolished entire villages in southern Lebanon, wiring homes with explosives and razing them through massive remote detonations.
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The Guardian reviewed videos showing mass detonations in the villages of Taybeh, Naqoura and Deir Seryan along the Israel-Lebanon border.
The demolitions came after Israel's minister of defence called for the destruction of all houses in border villages in accordance with the model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza.
The Israeli military destroyed 90% of homes in Rafah, in south Gaza.
Rights groups have said these mass remote detonations could amount to wanton destruction: a war crime.
Ramzi Kaiss said the possibility that Hezbollah may use some civilian structures does not justify the wide-scale destruction of entire villages.
Human Cost and Displacement
The ongoing campaign has come with a significant human cost.
Lebanese authorities reported that Israeli strikes in the south killed at least 18 people on Saturday.
The total death toll exceeded 2,000 since the conflict began.
Ahmad Abu Taam said, From that moment, I felt that I had become a refugee.
Abu Taam had also been displaced in the 2024 Hezbollah-Israel war.
Ahmad Ibrahim mourned that his children would not enjoy springtime in their homes.
Long-Term Occupation and Reconstruction
Israel has said that it will occupy vast swathes of south Lebanon, establishing a security zone up to the Litani River.
“The Israeli military has demolished entire villages as part of its invasion of south Lebanon, rigging homes with explosives and razing them to the ground in massive remote detonations”
Displaced people would not be allowed to return to their homes until the safety of Israel's northern cities is guaranteed.
This has prompted concern that there will be long-term displacement.
The tactic of mass destruction of homes was described as domicide by academics.
Residents said everything is gone, everything has been wiped out.
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