The Israeli Defense Forces have systematically demolished entire villages during their military operation in southern Lebanon, utilizing explosives to destroy buildings in large-scale remote detonations.

An analysis by The Guardian of three videos shared by the Israeli military and on various social media platforms reveals extensive detonations in the border villages of Taybeh, Naqoura, and Deir Seryan. Lebanese media has reported additional detonations in other border areas, although satellite imagery has not yet been made available to confirm these reports.

This wave of demolitions followed a directive from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who advocated for the obliteration of “all houses” in border villages, drawing comparisons to the military strategies employed in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza, where approximately 90% of homes were destroyed. The aim, as stated by Katz, is to mitigate threats to northern Israeli communities.

The practice of large-scale destruction of homes, particularly in Gaza where Israel has faced allegations of genocide, has been referred to by scholars as “domicide.” This term describes the strategic and systematic dismantling of civilian residences to make entire regions uninhabitable.

The Israeli military maintains that its operations are focused on dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure, such as tunnels and military installations, which it claims are situated within civilian dwellings.

Officials in Israel have expressed intentions to establish a “security zone” across extensive areas of southern Lebanon, extending up to the Litani River, and have indicated that displaced residents will not be permitted to return home until the security of northern Israeli cities is assured. This has raised alarms about the potential for prolonged displacement of local populations.

Human rights organizations have warned that these mass demolitions may constitute acts of indiscriminate destruction, potentially qualifying as war crimes. International humanitarian law specifically prohibits the intentional destruction of civilian property unless it is deemed necessary for legitimate military objectives.

Ramzi Kaiss, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, remarked, “The existence of potential military usage of some civilian structures by Hezbollah does not justify the widespread demolition of entire villages along the border.”

For residents of these border communities, witnessing the devastation of their homes has been a deeply traumatic experience, as the detonations not only obliterate physical structures but also erase generations of memories.

Ahmad Abu Taam, a 56-year-old owner of a construction supply shop in Taybeh, recounted his distress as he saw the town square being destroyed. “A person’s entire life is tied to that place—their work, their memories, everything. To see it explode before your eyes is devastating,” he shared. “From that moment on, I felt like a refugee. I feel as though I have lost my home.”

Abu Taam had previously been displaced during the 2024 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Though his village suffered significant damage during that period, he had experienced joy upon returning. He recalled a time when he took a photo of Deir Seryan after its residents returned, with festive lights illuminating the town square. “I forgot about the displacement and began rebuilding my shop from scratch, feeling no fatigue. But this time, everything is gone. It has all been erased,” he reflected.

Ahmad Ibrahim, a 50-year-old farmer from Deir Seryan, lamented the loss of his home and the memories he left behind. “I have only a few pictures of my house. I thought I could retrieve them when I returned,” he said. “My whole life is there. I’ve never really lived more than 10-13 kilometers away. It was a beautiful, typical village—at least it was before the war. The people were kind and welcoming.”

As Lebanon transitions into spring, Deir Seryan would typically be lush with blooming flowers following winter rains. Ibrahim expressed sorrow that his children would miss out on experiencing springtime in their home, instead facing displacement. “The children remember the joyful times—spring and summer evenings spent outdoors, collecting flowers and herbs, having dinner outside, making tea over a fire. It was an idyllic place to grow up,” he said.

Mohammed Hashem, a 65-year-old doctor, dedicated 15 years of grueling work to save enough to establish the Luna motel in Naqoura. Completed in 2012, the multi-story hotel welcomed international tourists, Lebanese vacationers, and off-duty UN peacekeepers, who all enjoyed the town’s renowned beaches.