Israeli demolitions levelling towns in south Lebanon, satellite images show

Satellite images and videos analyzed by BBC Verify show extensive destruction of towns and villages in southern Lebanon by Israeli demolitions since March 2nd. Over 1,400 buildings have been destroyed, with the true scale likely higher due to limited access. The demolitions followed an order from the Israeli Defense Minister to accelerate destruction of Lebanese homes near the border, mirroring tactics used in Gaza, as part of its campaign against Hezbollah. International law experts suggest the systematic destruction may constitute a war crime. The IDF claims its operations adhere to the Law of Armed Conflict and target Hezbollah infrastructure embedded within civilian areas, a claim made without providing evidence. These actions occurred after Hezbollah launched rockets and drones into Israel, prompting Israeli strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, displacing over 1.2 million people in Lebanon.

Despite a diplomatic push for direct talks in Washington, Israel has launched deadly strikes on towns across southern Lebanon. The attacks on Wednesday killed at least 13 people, according to Lebanon's National News Agency, including a family of four in Jbaa. Strikes also hit areas south of Beirut, targeting vehicles in Saadiyat and Jiyeh. The escalation occurred one day after Lebanese and Israeli envoys met in the US for the first direct talks in decades. The strikes have prompted anger in Lebanon, with some criticizing the government's engagement with Israel while attacks continue and questioning why the November 2024 ceasefire has not been implemented.

Israeli forces continued striking southern Lebanon on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, despite recent historic talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington. The attacks, particularly in the city of Tyre, have intensified despite evacuation orders, leaving residents feeling unsafe. While strikes on Beirut have lessened since a deadly bombardment last week, southern Lebanon remains under fire, targeting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. Tens of thousands of residents have remained despite the warnings, either unwilling or unable to leave their homes. The conflict's impact is visible in Tyre through damaged buildings and debris, as evidenced by the funeral held for 19-year-old Ghadir Baalbaki, who was killed in an Israeli drone strike.

Hopes for renewed talks between the U.S. and Iran rose on Wednesday amid a seven-week war that has disrupted global markets. The U.S. military stated its blockade of Iranian ports was in effect, while Iran threatened retaliation. U.S. President Trump indicated a second round of negotiations could occur soon in Islamabad, a sentiment echoed by the U.N. Secretary-General. Simultaneously, the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the U.S. held their first direct talks in decades, described as productive by the U.S. State Department, focusing on the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, which has displaced over one million people since March. Oil prices fell and U.S. stocks surged on the prospect of de-escalation.

Israel and Lebanon held their first direct diplomatic talks since 1993, mediated by the U.S., to address ongoing conflict, particularly involving Hezbollah. The talks, held in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, aimed to end fighting and potentially disarm Hezbollah, a key Israeli objective. Lebanon called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. Despite the discussions, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on Israel, triggering alarms in northern Israeli communities. The renewed conflict follows Israeli military operations in Lebanon that began in March, amid heightened tensions after US and Israeli strikes in Iran. Both sides agreed to future direct negotiations at a later date and location.

According to Donald Trump, US-Iran peace talks could potentially resume in Islamabad within the next two days. Trump indicated this possibility to a reporter in Islamabad, praising Pakistan's army chief for facilitating the talks. Pakistan is reportedly working to arrange negotiations before the current ceasefire expires on April 22nd. While a Pakistani official anticipates the talks will restart soon, it may take slightly longer than Trump's suggested timeframe. Separately, Israel and Lebanon recently held direct negotiations in Washington regarding their conflict, marking their first talks in over three decades. Meanwhile, House Democrats have proposed a commission, led by JD Vance, to evaluate Donald Trump's fitness for office under the 25th amendment.

A group of 19 UN experts has urged member states to suspend arms transfers to Israel, citing concerns over violations of international law. The experts condemned Israel's military operations in Lebanon, particularly an April 8th attack that reportedly killed over 350 people, including 30 children. They stated that the attack was a "blatant violation of the UN Charter" and not an act of self-defense. The call for halting arms transfers is based on credible evidence of serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The experts also called for Israel to cease all military operations in Lebanon, where over 2,000 people have been killed and 1.2 million displaced since Israel escalated attacks on March 2nd following rocket fire from Hezbollah.

New Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon have killed several people, including at least seven in Abbassiyeh, following a day of intense bombardment. The attacks, which targeted towns and infrastructure, come despite a recently announced US-Iran ceasefire that Tehran claims includes Lebanon. Israel claims to have killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, a close aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, in overnight strikes in Beirut and targeted crossings over the Litani River. The Lebanese army reported that four of its soldiers were killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday. The ongoing attacks raise questions about the US-Iran ceasefire and reflect a deeper alignment between Israel and the US, with Israel reportedly aiming to disarm Hezbollah. Hezbollah entered the war in retaliation for the killing of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tensions escalated between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Friday, ahead of planned talks between the Lebanese government and Israel next week. An Israeli strike killed at least 13 Lebanese State Security members in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an attack on an Israeli naval base in Ashdod. Israel launched strikes across southern Lebanon, including a government building in Nabatieh, and Hezbollah claimed 31 other attacks on northern Israel and Israeli ground troops. The conflict began after Hezbollah fired rockets toward northern Israel in solidarity with Iran on March 2. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, at least 1,888 people in Lebanon have been killed in Israeli strikes.

On Wednesday, Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential areas in Lebanon, resulting in the deadliest day of the Israel-Hezbollah war. According to Lebanon's civil defence service, 254 people were killed and over 1,100 wounded across the country, with Beirut experiencing the highest death toll of 91. The Lebanese health ministry reported 182 deaths nationwide, anticipating that the figure would rise. The strikes occurred hours after a ceasefire was announced in the US-Israeli war with Iran, which US President Donald Trump stated did not include Lebanon due to the presence of Hezbollah. Trump characterized the Israeli strikes as a "separate skirmish."

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is leading a delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials, the first such meeting since the recent outbreak of war. The talks, brokered by Pakistan, aim to solidify a fragile ceasefire between Iran and its adversaries. The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, has preconditions for negotiation, including an Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranian assets. Security has been heightened in Islamabad for the meeting, with road closures and residents urged to stay indoors. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the talks as a "make-or-break" moment in shifting from a temporary ceasefire to a lasting settlement.

Negotiations between the US and Iran to end their ongoing war are facing uncertainty due to conflicting interpretations of Iran's proposed 10-point peace plan. The plan, the basis for upcoming talks in Islamabad, is meant to build upon a fragile two-week ceasefire. While President Trump initially called the plan "workable," US officials, including Vice President Vance, have since offered mixed responses, with Vance dismissing the publicised version. A key point of contention is Iran's right to enrich uranium, with discrepancies existing between the English and Persian versions of the plan. The US had previously presented a 15-point plan that Iran rejected as "maximalist," which included demands such as Iran ending uranium enrichment and ceasing support for regional proxies.

The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran is under strain as Donald Trump accuses Iran of violating the agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated Iran is not allowing oil to flow through the strait, causing disruptions to global energy supplies. Iran cites Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon as a reason for the blockade. Despite the tensions, a US delegation is scheduled to meet with Iranian representatives in Pakistan for peace talks. Trump has asked Israel to de-escalate its operations in Lebanon to facilitate negotiations, while Israel insists there is no ceasefire and continues to strike Hezbollah targets.

Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday targeted over 100 locations in Lebanon, resulting in over 300 deaths and 1,165 injuries in just 10 minutes. The strikes, which Israel claims targeted Hezbollah command centers as part of "Operation Eternal Darkness," hit densely populated residential areas of Beirut. First responders and residents described scenes of devastation, with many civilians, including children, among the casualties. The strikes used 1,000lb bombs. Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, condemned the attacks, asserting that they primarily killed civilians. The death toll surpassed that of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

Since March 2, 2026, an Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon has displaced 1.2 million people, about one-fifth of Lebanon's population, creating a severe humanitarian crisis. According to ACLED, Israeli forces have launched over 1,840 attacks, resulting in 1,497 deaths and 4,639 injuries, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health. Israel claims it is targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, with the defense minister stating plans to destroy Lebanese border towns and continue occupation. The majority of Israeli attacks have been air or drone strikes and shelling, while Hezbollah and other groups have targeted Israeli military personnel and hardware, primarily in the Nabatieh governorate. The scale of displacement places Lebanon among the top 10 displacement crises globally in recent years.

Israel intensified its strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon on Saturday, targeting infrastructure in Beirut and destroying a bridge in the east to impede Hezbollah reinforcements. Explosions were reported in Beirut's southern suburbs, a frequent target of Israeli strikes amid its ground invasion in southern Lebanon. The conflict escalated after Hezbollah initiated rocket attacks on Israel in response to a US-Israeli action that killed an Iranian leader on March 2. UNIFIL reported that three peacekeepers were wounded in southern Lebanon near the border, marking the third such incident in recent days. The ongoing strikes and cross-border attacks highlight the continued tensions and violence between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least seven people, according to local media reports, as Israel's offensive against Hezbollah continues into its second month. The strikes targeted towns including Ramadiyeh and Kfarsir, destroying homes and resulting in civilian casualties. Israel claims to have killed 40 Hezbollah fighters in the past 24 hours, targeting weapons depots and launch sites. Since the offensive began on March 2, over 1,300 people have been killed in Lebanon. The conflict is part of a larger war that began on February 28, which includes the United States and Iran, and has resulted in casualties in Israel and among US soldiers. Lebanon's Prime Minister has stated the country is committed to stopping the war and condemns violations of its sovereignty.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon this week, striking areas beyond Hezbollah's control, including a residential neighborhood north of Beirut and the Jnah neighborhood in the capital. The Israeli military claims it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and killed senior commanders in Beirut. Strikes also continued in Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut and southern Lebanon. A health facility in the south was hit, killing a paramedic, and a building near Beirut's airport was destroyed after evacuation. These attacks follow Hezbollah's involvement in the regional conflict since March 2, after attacks on its ally Iran. The Lebanese army has withdrawn from some southern positions after an Israeli strike killed a soldier.

The U.S. State Department is urging Americans to leave Lebanon due to targeted threats from Iran and its proxy militias against American universities in the Middle East. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut describes the security situation as volatile, citing airstrikes, drones, and rocket attacks throughout the country, particularly in the south, Beqaa, and parts of Beirut. Americans in southern Lebanon, near the Syrian border, in refugee settlements, and in Beirut's southern suburbs are strongly encouraged to depart immediately. Commercial flights are available from Beirut Rafic Hariri airport, and the U.S. Embassy is offering limited emergency passport services. Routine consular services, including visa operations, are suspended, and travel to Lebanon is not advised.

Since March 2026, intensified Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have severely impacted the healthcare system. According to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health, Israeli strikes have killed 53 medical workers, destroyed 87 ambulances or medical centers, and forced five hospitals to close. Experts and analysts suggest this destruction is intended to displace the population from the south. These attacks and evacuation orders are cutting people off from essential medical care. The World Health Organization has also reported direct attacks on health facilities. The conflict escalated after Hezbollah claimed an attack in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading Israel to expand its strikes and issue mass evacuation orders, displacing 1.2 million people.

On March 24, 2026, Israeli forces detonated a mosque minaret in Khiam, southern Lebanon. Video footage of the event has been released. Israel stated that its actions are part of its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. However, Israel has been accused of attempting to depopulate southern Lebanon, having already forcibly displaced over a million people. The incident occurred amidst the broader context of the conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in the region.

Israeli forces struck Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, on Monday, marking the first attack in days and claiming the capture of two Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon. Earlier, a strike hit Hazmieh, a Christian area near Beirut, targeting an alleged Iranian Revolutionary Guard member. The Israeli military stated it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut after urging residents to evacuate. These actions follow Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel, initiated on March 2, purportedly in response to the killing of Iran's supreme leader. Since then, Israel has launched strikes across Lebanon, resulting in at least 1,039 deaths and deploying ground troops into southern Lebanon.

Israeli forces struck the Qasmiyeh bridge in southern Lebanon on Sunday, a key route connecting the south to central Lebanon. This action follows a statement by Israel's defense minister that Israeli forces were instructed to destroy crossings over the Litani river used by Hezbollah for reinforcements. The strikes have raised concerns among Lebanese citizens that Israel intends to isolate southern Lebanon, potentially hindering the return of displaced families. The ongoing conflict has already displaced over a million people, raising fears of a humanitarian crisis. The BBC is reporting on the situation from Lebanon.

Due to the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, over a million people have been displaced in Lebanon, particularly after Israel issued evacuation orders for southern regions. This displacement follows intensified Israeli campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon, triggered by rocket fire into northern Israel. Displaced families, many from Hezbollah-supported areas, are struggling with overwhelmed shelters and are forced to sleep in cars or makeshift tents. The BBC spoke with displaced families, including children and pregnant women, highlighting their difficult living conditions amid the conflict. The situation is particularly dire as families face extreme weather conditions and a lack of adequate shelter.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned that Lebanon faces a potential "humanitarian catastrophe" due to Israel's intensified bombardment and ground invasion, which began in early March. According to the UN, over 1.2 million people have been displaced across the country, including areas from southern Lebanon to Beirut. UNHCR's representative stated that Lebanon's shelter system is struggling to accommodate the increasing number of displaced families, who are living in constant fear due to the strikes. The attacks intensified after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The UNHCR expressed concern about the psychological impact on children.

Lebanon has declared the Iranian ambassador persona non grata and demanded his departure by Sunday, while also recalling its ambassador from Tehran for consultations. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry cited Iran's violation of diplomatic norms as the reason for the action. This decision occurs amidst ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including air strikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon following a Hezbollah attack on March 2. The conflict, triggered by the US-Israel killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, has resulted in over 1,072 deaths, thousands injured, and the displacement of over 1.5 million Lebanese people. Israel claims to be targeting members of Iran's IRGC, while Iran states those killed were civilians.

In March 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Lebanon's fight against threats to its security is "just," emphasizing that no violation of sovereignty is justifiable. His statement comes amidst escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The fighting has resulted in over 1,000 deaths and the displacement of 1.1 million people in Lebanon. Macron's comments suggest support for Lebanon's position in the face of increasing attacks by Israel. The context of the statement is the ongoing and intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in the region.

In March 2026, Israel conducted airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon, targeting both military and civilian infrastructure linked to Hezbollah. The strikes hit locations including the Al-Manar TV headquarters and a branch of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-run financial institution. These actions appear to be part of an Israeli effort to weaken or dismantle Hezbollah. The attacks occurred in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, and other areas of the city. Photographic evidence shows significant damage to the targeted buildings.

Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, the US has temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea, aiming to stabilize rising oil prices caused by the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The license permits the purchase of Iranian oil loaded onto vessels before 5:01 am GMT on Friday, with the exemption lasting until April 19th. This move coincides with reports of Israeli attacks on Tehran and Hezbollah targets in Beirut, as well as Iranian missile fire towards a US-UK military base in Diego Garcia. Meanwhile, Donald Trump indicated he is considering "winding down" the war with Iran, suggesting other nations should take responsibility for policing the Strait of Hormuz.

Since March 2nd, Israeli bombings in south Lebanon have allegedly targeted medical facilities and personnel, according to Lebanese healthcare workers and officials. They report at least 128 strikes on medical sites and ambulances, resulting in 40 deaths and 107 injuries among healthcare workers. The attacks, occurring amidst the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, include alleged double-tap strikes. Medical workers and facilities are protected under international law, and deliberately targeting them could constitute a war crime. The Israeli military has accused Hezbollah of using ambulances for military purposes, a claim the Lebanese Ministry of Health denies. The majority of attacks have been against the Islamic Health Association (IHA), a health service affiliated with Hezbollah.

Since March 2, over 1,000 people in Lebanon, including 40 healthcare workers, have been killed in intensified Israeli attacks, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The attacks, which have also wounded over 2,500, followed rocket launches by Hezbollah into northern Israel after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Israeli bombardment, targeting Hezbollah, has displaced over one million people and included residential buildings and infrastructure. Hezbollah has responded with rocket fire into Israel and ground engagements. The UN human rights chief's office has stated that some Israeli attacks may constitute war crimes, emphasizing the need to distinguish between military and civilian targets.