The Israeli military’s extensive and deliberate destruction of civilian property and agricultural land across southern Lebanon must be investigated as war crimes, Amnesty International said in a new briefing.
Nowhere To Return: Israel’s Extensive Destruction of Southern Lebanon documents how Israeli forces used manually laid explosives and bulldozers to devastate civilian structures, including homes, mosques, cemeteries, roads, parks and soccer pitches, across 24 municipalities.
The briefing analyses the period from the start of Israel’s ground invasion into Lebanon on 1 October 2024 until 26 January 2025 and reveals that more than 10,000 structures were heavily damaged or destroyed during that time. Much of the destruction took place after 27 November 2024, after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect.
The destruction was carried out by the Israeli military after it had secured control of the areas, meaning outside of combat action. In such a context, international humanitarian law (IHL) prohibits the destruction of civilian property unless required by imperative military necessity. Amnesty International’s investigation found that in many cases the extensive destruction of civilian structures was carried out by the Israeli military in apparent absence of imperative military necessity and in violation of IHL.
Where these acts of destruction were committed intentionally or recklessly, they must be investigated as war crimes.
Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns
“The Israeli military’s destruction of civilian homes, property and land in southern Lebanon rendered entire areas uninhabitable and ruined countless lives,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.
“The evidence we have analyzed clearly shows that Israeli troops deliberately left a trail of devastation as they moved through the region. Their blatant disregard for the communities they have destroyed is abhorrent.
“Where these acts of destruction were committed intentionally or recklessly, they must be investigated as war crimes.”
“Given the scale of destruction carried out by the Israeli military, many residents of southern Lebanon have nothing to return to,” said Erika Guevara Rosas.
“The Israeli authorities must provide prompt, full and adequate reparations to all victims of violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes, both individuals and entire communities These reparations must extend to the families of those harmed by Israel’s unlawful conduct.”
Lebanon’s government should immediately explore all possible legal routes, including establishing a domestic reparation mechanism. The government should also reconsider providing the International Criminal Court with jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes under the Rome Statute committed on Lebanese territory.
All states should immediately suspend all arms transfers and other forms of military assistance to ‘Israel’ due to the significant risk that these weapons could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international law.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
