Satellite pictures from oct-2024 show big changes in south-Lebanese towns‚ where many long-standing neighborhoods turned into grey spots (which used to be homes and gardens just last year)
More than 10 border settlements faced major changes since last fall. The towns — most of them sitting on hill-tops with views of Israel became targets of military operations. Daniel Hagari from Israeli military said they hit over 3‚200 spots in south Lebanon‚ while Lebanese officials counted about 3‚809 strikes on these areas
The towns transformation includes:
- Kfarkela: main road buildings gone
- Meiss al-Jabal: center block destroyed
- Mhaibib: multiple structures damaged
- Odaisseh: many buildings affected
“There are beautiful old homes hundreds of years old; thousands of artillery shells have hit the town hundreds of air strikes“ said Abdulmonem Choukeir Meiss al-Jabalʼs mayor
A source close to military plans told that Israel picked these spots because of their high ground position — learning from past issues when soldiers in valleys got attacked from above. The source said “that is why they are targeting these villages so heavily; so they can move more freely“
The cultural cost is high too. In Odaisseh Lubnan Baalbakiʼs family home (which was an art center with 1000-book library) got destroyed. “Weʼre a family of artists my father is well-known and our home was a known cultural home; we were trying to reassure ourselves with that thought“ Baalbaki shared
The Lebanese government reports over 1‚2 million people left their homes because of strikes. Most border towns residents havent seen their properties in months; many dont know if their houses still stand