Satellite images reveal southern Lebanese villages ‘wiped out’ by Israeli strikes

Photos taken from space have revealed that towns and villages in southern Lebanon have been “wiped out” and leveled to the ground as a result of ongoing Israeli airstrikes and demolition operations over recent weeks.

Two days after Israel launched its attacks on Iran with the participation of the United States, Lebanon was drawn into the war following Hezbollah’s rocket fire at Israeli positions.

However, according to a report by CNN, the Israeli operation aimed at defeating Hizbollah quickly turned into a mission to flatten vast areas of southern Lebanon.

As Israeli airstrikes intensified and soldiers took control of more land in southern Lebanon, the operations began to resemble what had taken place for months in the Gaza Strip, with bulldozers demolishing buildings in an effort to “erase” entire towns and villages.

Even after the ceasefire agreement reached last week, Israeli demolition operations continued.

An analysis by CNN of satellite images revealed the scale of the destruction: hundreds of buildings—most of them apparently homes—were leveled or rendered uninhabitable, particularly in the towns of Bint Jbeil and Aita al-Shaab.

Images attributed to Boeing, along with videos captured after the ceasefire announcement on April 16, showed demolition operations continuing at a rapid pace, with bulldozers, excavators, and armored vehicles clearly visible.

Human rights organizations have sounded the alarm, warning that the Israeli assault mirrors tactics used in Gaza—from heavy strikes on vital infrastructure and healthcare facilities to widespread demolition and severe damage to buildings.

Israeli officials have also drawn up plans to establish what they called a long-term “security zone” in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would expand their positions 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously pledged to destroy all homes in villages near the border, referring to what he called the “Rafah and Beit Hanoun model,” the two cities in Gaza that were devastated by the Israeli army over more than two years.

After the ceasefire was announced last week, Katz reaffirmed his position, saying that “the destruction of homes in Lebanese villages along the contact line will continue,” describing them as “terrorist strongholds.”