Towns and villages in southern Lebanon are being levelled by Israeli demolitions, satellite images and videos obtained by BBC Verify reveal.
According to analysis, more than 1,400 buildings have been destroyed since March 2, showcasing only a snapshot of the destruction as on-ground access and satellite imaging remains limited.
Reports suggest that the demolitions follow an order by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz to accelerate destruction near the border, viewed as a strategy mirroring tactics used in Gaza against Hezbollah.
Legal experts assert that the scale of destruction could amount to war crimes, as the demolitions appear to target civilian infrastructures without adequate justification under international humanitarian law.
The Israel Defense Forces contend that actions were taken in accordance with armed conflict laws, citing military necessity due to Hezbollah's embedded operations within civilian regions.
Since the onset of heightened tensions, the UN estimates more than 1.2 million people have been displaced, including 820,000 from the south, with over 2,000 reported casualties.
The visual landscape of southern Lebanon, once characterized by its quaint villages, has now become unrecognizable. Verified footage shows activities such as coordinated demolitions in several towns, including the particularly hard-hit town of Taybeh.
The ongoing conflict following the Iranian-backed Hezbollah's military actions against Israel points to a worsening humanitarian crisis, calling international scrutiny on the Israeli military's practices amidst claims of civilian protections.
