There has been a large amount of damage. And displacement as a result of the ongoing conflict along the border between Lebanon and Israel. Military activity records, satellite photos, and radar images show that entire communities have been displaced. With thousands of buildings damaged on top of sizeable open land areas being destroyed. Although both sides have refrained from all-out war, daily attacks have left many communities in Lebanon and Israel ruined.
Origins of the Conflict ConflictÂ
Hezbollah attacked Israeli positions by launching rockets in aid of Palestine for the duration of the outbreak of the warfare between Israel and Gaza. Following an exceptional attack on Israel with the assistance of Hamas on October 7th, 2023. Israel began its army offensive against Gaza.
Magnitude of Attacks ConflictÂ
From October 8th, 2023, to July 5th, 2024. The data analyzed by BBC based on the US Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) indicates 7,491 cross-border attacks. Approximately five times more attacks than Hezbollah have been carried out by Israel. UN reports say that over 90k people in Lebanon are displaced. About 100 civilians were killed along with 366 Hezbollah fighters due to Israeli strikes, while in Israel, there are currently around sixty thousand civilians who had to leave their homes because they were attacked by Hezbollah forces killing thirty-three people which included ten non-combatants.
Southern Lebanon Impact
More than sixty percent (60%) of Lebanese border towns suffered damage from Israeli air and artillery strikes where at least eight cities, including Aita el Shaab, were severely impacted or even destroyed. As many as thirty-two hundred (3,200) buildings may have been damaged since October this year alone, according to Corey Scher’s Scher’ss based on image comparisons done at City University New York Graduate Centre, but among these three standouts: Kfar Kila, Blida, and Aita-el Shaab itself which saw at least two hundred ninety-nine (299) attacks since October. Mr Majed Tehini, who is the Mayor of Aita El Shaab, described it as a town that looks like an earthquake zone where seventeen people have died. He has had to attend many funerals since most of them were his friends, so even though he was forced out together with his family, he still goes back whenever there are burials.
Infrastructure and Housing Damages
The current fighting has left behind ruins such as the collapsed electric grid systems. Or water supply networks being destroyed. leaving thousands without power or clean drinking water in some areas. Especially within proximity to Aita-el Shaab itself along the southern Lebanese border region. Which suffered immense destruction surpassing any other previous war including 2006 conflict between Israel & Hezbollah.
Israel’sIsrael’sy Targets
Dr Burcu Ozcelik, senior research fellow for Middle East security at Rusi. Explains that Israeli forces target towns near the border due to the extensive presence of fortified positions held by Hezbollah militants. The goal is not only to destroy these defenses. But also to dismantle tunnels running through civilian homes underground within four miles of LebLebanon’sontiers with Isr. This was proposed by the US, which they rejected outright. Instead calling on withdrawal from the entire border area.
