Destruction of Civilian Property and Displacement in Southern Lebanon Amidst Israel-Hezbollah Conflict
Introduction
Renewed hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which commenced in early March 2025, have led to extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure and residential buildings in southern Lebanon. A ceasefire announced on 16 April remains in effect, but Israeli forces continue to occupy a border strip extending up to 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory. The conflict has displaced an estimated 1.2 million people, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Main Body
The current phase of the conflict began on 2 March 2025, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader. Israel subsequently initiated a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated that their operations target Hezbollah positions embedded within civilian areas, and that they adhere to the Law of Armed Conflict. However, visual evidence analyzed by BBC Verify indicates that controlled demolitions have occurred in at least 12 border villages since early March, with satellite imagery showing the destruction of nearly one-third of buildings in the main residential area of Qouzah between 3 March and 16 April. Individual cases illustrate the scale of civilian impact. Joe Elias, a former mayor of Qouzah, reported that his family’s home—constructed nearly two decades ago—was flattened after Israeli forces struck the building. The IDF stated that five anti-tank missiles were launched toward its troops from the coordinates of the Elias house on 6 March, injuring four soldiers, and that the subsequent strike was intended to prevent further attacks. Elias noted that his family had already been displaced to Beirut since February, and that neighbors fled the village after Hezbollah entered the area. Satellite imagery also confirmed the presence of Israeli armored vehicles near the property. In the village of Debel, Houssam Naddaf’s family garden contained a crucifix that was smashed by an Israeli soldier, an act that drew widespread condemnation. The IDF later replaced the sculpture with a smaller crucifix and offered an apology, but Naddaf’s family opted to accept a replacement donated by Italy, installed in a ceremony attended by UN peacekeepers and local clergy. Naddaf, who has been barred from returning to his home due to Israeli movement restrictions, described the interior as a “total mess” but noted that the structure remained standing, unlike neighboring houses that were demolished. In Nabatieh, pharmacist Mazen Husseini returned to inspect damage to his pharmacy, which had its front window shattered by a blast from an adjacent building. He expressed skepticism about the durability of the ceasefire, stating that his family had not yet returned. Stakeholder perspectives diverge on the justification for the destruction. The IDF maintains that Hezbollah operates from civilian areas, and that its actions are lawful. Hezbollah, in turn, has released videos purporting to show drone attacks on Israeli positions within the village. Civilians such as Elias argue that the Israeli response is disproportionate, noting the destruction of roads, water pipes, and electricity infrastructure. Naddaf’s family, while grateful for the Italian donation, expressed concern that the continued occupation and demolition could lead to prolonged displacement. International law experts have suggested that the scale of destruction may amount to a war crime, though this remains an analytical interpretation rather than a verified legal determination.
Conclusion
The ceasefire has temporarily halted large-scale combat, but the continued Israeli occupation of a border buffer zone and the extensive destruction of civilian property have left many displaced residents uncertain about their ability to return. The cases of Elias, Naddaf, and Husseini underscore the material and emotional losses sustained by civilians, while the underlying security concerns of both Israel and Hezbollah remain unresolved. The prospects for reconstruction and lasting peace are contingent on the durability of the truce and the resolution of territorial and security disputes.