BEIRUT — The small village of Ramyah, perched on a hill close to the Israeli border, has faced near obliteration, a tragic fate echoed in neighboring areas. Satellite imagery reveals a similar pattern: landscapes once adorned with homes now lifeless and reduced to rubble.
Over the past month, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have left a trail of devastation throughout southern Lebanon. Israel claims the operations aim to weaken Hezbollah, relocate its forces away from the border, and put an end to more than a year of cross-border attacks directed at northern Israel.
United Nations peacekeepers, alongside Lebanese military personnel stationed in the south, have also come under fire from Israeli troops, prompting concerns about their continued presence in the area.
The bombardment has forced over a million individuals to flee from the region, leading some analysts to suggest that Israel may be trying to establish a depopulated buffer zone, mirroring a strategy previously employed along its border with Gaza.
Evidence points to significant destruction already underway, as analyzed through satellite images and reports from mapping specialists reviewing the impact across eleven border-adjacent villages.
The Israeli military has defended its operations, arguing that their goal is to dismantle Hezbollah’s subterranean infrastructure and other military assets reportedly hidden within residential areas. However, this has led to widespread devastation of homes and entire neighborhoods, displacing families who have resided there for generations.
While Israeli officials assert that their objective is to push Hezbollah far enough away to ensure the safety of returning residents, they admit there is no definitive plan to maintain this distance over time, a crucial point for U.S. efforts in negotiating a cease-fire.
Orna Mizrahi, a senior researcher affiliated with Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, indicated that although Israel’s immediate goal might not be establishing a buffer zone, circumstances could necessitate such a decision in the future.
The destruction escalated after October 1, when Israeli forces, bolstered by intensified bombardments, made their advance into southern Lebanon.
An analysis using satellite data highlighted significant damage in the vicinity of the border, particularly in villages closest to the line, where data estimates suggest between 100 to 500 structures were either destroyed or severely affected.
In Ramyah, very few buildings remain standing after a controlled explosion executed by soldiers, which was also documented in social media footage. In the nearby Aita al-Shaab, known for its strong Hezbollah presence, airstrikes have turned areas filled with homes into expanses of debris.
Damage appears sporadic across other villages: while some houses have been obliterated, others remain untouched, creating a stark contrast of ruin. A controlled blast in the village of Odeissah was so powerful that it triggered seismic alerts in Israel.
An emotional response came from Lubnan Baalbaki, conductor of the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, who witnessed the destruction of his family home—a repository of cherished arts and literature built by his father. “This house was a project and a dream for both of my parents,” he lamented, now separated from his parents’ graves lost among the rubble.
In response to inquiries about the potential establishment of a buffer zone, the Israeli military emphasized that their operations target specific objectives based on accurate intelligence. They alleged that Hezbollah has strategically concealed weaponry within residential areas.
Israeli journalist Danny Kushmaro was among those who participated in the demolition of a residence identified by the military as a Hezbollah weapons site, counting down with soldiers before triggering a significant explosion during a televised segment.
Despite Israeli troops displaying flags on Lebanese land, they have not established permanent bases nor maintained a constant presence in the region, indicating a pattern of back-and-forth movements still facing heavy resistance from Hezbollah.
October has marked a particularly lethal month for the Israeli military, with approximately 60 soldiers reported killed.
Additionally, attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers and the Lebanese Army have brought about alarm, raising concerns about the effectiveness of these forces meant to uphold peace in the region. Israel has long expressed frustration that these entities have failed to prevent Hezbollah’s infrastructure growth.
The Lebanese military has reported that at least 11 of its soldiers lost their lives due to eight separate Israeli strikes either targeting their installations or during evacuation efforts.
The peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, relayed that its personnel have experienced harm due to Israeli military actions at least 30 times since late September, with around 20 incidents attributed to intentional attacks.
A recent rocket, likely fired by Hezbollah or allied groups, struck UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, resulting in minor injuries to some personnel, according to spokesperson Andrea Tenenti.
Despite calls from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for UNIFIL to withdraw, the peacekeeping force has remained undeterred in its mission in southern Lebanon. However, experts highlight that the situation could shift dramatically if these forces suffer greater casualties.
The international community appears focused on reviving cease-fire discussions aimed at enforcing U.N. Resolution 1701, which sought to finalize the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The resolution mandated a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, establishing both the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL as the sole armed authorities within a designated area near the border. However, Hezbollah maintained a presence while Lebanon accused Israel of retaining control over portions of its territory and conducting intrusive aerial operations.
During a recent diplomatic visit to Beirut by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, discussions emphasized the necessity for a new accord to implement Resolution 1701 effectively.
Some speculate that Israel may be leveraging the devastation in southern Lebanon as a means to force an agreement into action.
Military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua suggested that Israel aims to reinforce its operational successes, pushing Hezbollah and various mediating countries toward accepting a cease-fire on terms favorable to Israel.
There are rising concerns among Lebanese citizens that this could lead to Israeli occupation of sections of southern Lebanon, recalling memories from 25 years ago when Israel withdrew from the area.
Critic and Lebanese member of parliament Mark Daou posits that Israel’s actions aim to undermine Hezbollah’s influence while altering public opinion within Lebanon against resistance to Israeli action.
Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group cautioned that if Hezbollah continues to be seen as the legitimate defender of southern Lebanon, the credibility of the Lebanese military in that role could diminish significantly if they are perceived as acting under Israeli authority.
