Report: IDF proceeding with demolition of south Lebanese towns despite ceasefire

The IDF is reportedly moving ahead with the destruction of buildings in southern Lebanese villages, even though a ceasefire is currently in place in its conflict with Hezbollah.

Several IDF commanders tell the Haaretz daily that civilian homes, public buildings and schools are being systematically razed as part of a policy to “clear the area,” which is currently part of the buffer zone created by the Israeli military inside Lebanon.

Israel says Hezbollah has been using civilian infrastructure to store weapons or dig tunnels under homes, and previously, IDF officers have said the military is only demolishing the infrastructure of Hezbollah.

But according to Haaretz, the IDF doesn’t appear to be differentiating between buildings exploited by the terror group and ones untouched, as entire towns are reportedly being razed to the ground.

The demolitions are carried out by paid contractors, including some who are compensated based on the number of buildings they destroy, the commanders tell Haaretz.

The commanders say the IDF is replicating its policy from Gaza in Lebanon as it pertains to demolishing civilian infrastructure. One commander tells Haaretz that the goal is to prevent Lebanese civilians from returning to towns along Israel’s border.

Last month, Defense Minister Israel Katz described the policy, saying, “All houses in villages near the Lebanese border will be demolished according to the model of Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza” in order “to remove, once and for all, the threats near the border.”

The IDF does not respond to Haaretz’s request for comment.