Fighting in Lebanon Damages Homes and Forces People to Leave
Fighting in Lebanon Damages Homes and Forces People to Leave
Introduction
In March 2025, fighting started again between Hezbollah and Israel. Fighting destroyed many houses and roads in southern Lebanon. A ceasefire (stop fighting) started on 16 April. But Israeli soldiers still stay in a 10-kilometer area inside Lebanon. About 1.2 million people had to leave their homes.
Main Body
On 2 March 2025, Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel. Israel then sent soldiers into southern Lebanon. Israel says it attacks Hezbollah fighters in villages. But fighting destroyed many buildings. Pictures from space show that almost one-third of buildings in Qouzah village disappeared. Joe Elias lived in Qouzah. Fighting destroyed his house. He said his family left the village before the fighting. Israel said that Hezbollah fired five missiles from his house. So Israel hit the house. Elias now lives in Beirut. In Debel village, a soldier broke a cross in a family's garden. The cross was important to the family. Israel said sorry and gave a new cross. The family accepted a cross from Italy. UN soldiers and local church leaders put it up. In Nabatieh, a pharmacy owner named Mazen Husseini went back to see his shop. A blast broke a window. He is not sure the ceasefire will last. His family did not come back yet.
Conclusion
The ceasefire stopped big fights for now. But many people cannot go back to their homes. They lost their houses and things. The future is not clear.
Vocabulary Learning
Sentence Learning
Destruction of Civilian Property and Displacement in Southern Lebanon During Israel-Hezbollah Conflict
Introduction
Renewed fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, which started in early March 2025, has caused widespread destruction of civilian buildings and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. A ceasefire announced on 16 April is still in effect, but Israeli forces continue to hold a border area that goes up to 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the conflict has forced about 1.2 million people to leave their homes.
Main Body
The current phase of the conflict began on 2 March 2025, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in response to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader. Israel then started a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated that their operations target Hezbollah positions located inside civilian areas, and that they follow the Law of Armed Conflict. However, evidence examined by BBC Verify shows that planned demolitions have taken place in at least 12 border villages since early March. Satellite images reveal that nearly one-third of the buildings in the main residential area of Qouzah were destroyed between 3 March and 16 April. Individual cases show the impact on civilians. Joe Elias, a former mayor of Qouzah, reported that his family’s home—built about twenty years ago—was completely destroyed after Israeli forces hit the building. The IDF stated that five anti-tank missiles were fired toward its troops from the location of the Elias house on 6 March, wounding four soldiers, and that the later attack was meant to prevent further attacks. Elias noted that his family had already left for Beirut in February, and that neighbors left the village after Hezbollah entered the area. Satellite images 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 broken by an Israeli soldier, an act that was widely condemned. The IDF later replaced the sculpture with a smaller crucifix and apologized, but Naddaf’s family chose to accept a replacement donated by Italy, which was installed in a ceremony attended by UN peacekeepers and local religious leaders. Naddaf, who is not allowed to return to his home because of Israeli restrictions on movement, described the inside as a “total mess” but said the structure was still standing, unlike neighboring houses that were destroyed. In Nabatieh, pharmacist Mazen Husseini returned to check damage to his pharmacy, which had its front window shattered by a blast from a nearby building. He expressed doubt that the ceasefire would last, stating that his family had not yet returned. Different groups have different views on the reasons for the destruction. The IDF maintains that Hezbollah operates from civilian areas and that its actions are legal. Hezbollah, in turn, has released videos that claim to show drone attacks on Israeli positions within the village. Civilians such as Elias argue that the Israeli response is too strong, pointing to 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 long-term displacement. International law experts have suggested that the scale of destruction could be considered a war crime, though this remains an analysis rather than a confirmed legal decision.
Conclusion
The ceasefire has stopped major fighting for now, but the continued Israeli occupation of a border security zone and the widespread destruction of civilian property have left many displaced residents unsure if they can return. The cases of Elias, Naddaf, and Husseini highlight the physical and emotional losses suffered by civilians, while the basic security concerns of both Israel and Hezbollah are still not solved. The chances for rebuilding and lasting peace depend on how long the ceasefire lasts and on solving territorial and security disagreements.
Vocabulary Learning
Sentence Learning
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.