In southern Lebanon, Israeli demolitions continue ‘day and night’

Froun, Lebanon – Hasan Saeid Ramadan, 56, recalled the moment his household was struck by sudden violence as he heard explosions shaking the ground.

“It shook the earth like an earthquake, and the mountain collapsed,” he said while pointing toward the neighboring Qantara peaks.

Pilot zones

In response to a June framework agreement designed to create testing grounds for Lebanese army disarmament and Israel’s phased withdrawal, locals challenge whether the proposed pilot zones accurately reflect reality. Although Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh were initially selected, residents asserted that these areas were never fully occupied by Israeli forces.

Recommended Stories

list of 3 itemsend of list

Strategic talks involving U.S. mediation continue despite resistance from Hezbollah, which pushes for indirect dialogue to lift conflicts.

Even as Israel formally announced a ceasefire earlier this year, military attacks on perceived Hezbollah targets persist. Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon jointly implemented measures regarding pilot zones, aiming to test a path toward compliance—a strategy later questioned by analysts due to the persistence of Israeli occupation.

Widespread Destruction Leaves Villages in Ruins

In areas propped up along territories controlled by Israel, housing and infrastructure have collapsed. Debris piles clog access routes, and frequent detonations prevent occupants from resting, with violence rising particularly at night.

These settlements occasionally turn into ghost towns as dwellers flee to cities like Sidon or Beirut, relying on relatives for support. Those brave enough to return face desolation; agriculture-dependent regions like Ghandouriyeh are now choked with rubble covering former orchards of olives and wheat.

The landscape outside Nader, mayor of Ghandouriyeh, tells a harsh story of ruin. Once productive farmland dotted with modernized farms stands now in skeletal ruins. Electricity and water availability are minimal, creating harrowing living conditions for survivors seeking stability.

Opposition figures highlight the historical resemblance between current suffering and the 1982–2000 occupation. Hasan Bazzi, Froun’s municipal chief, contrasts the psychological dread today with past occupancy eras, noting that demolitions by Israel now trap people away from their homes forever.

Source link