Israeli forces have been engaged in demolitions, destroying houses and infrastructure in Majdal Zoun and surrounding areas in southern Lebanon, the country’s National News Agency said on Thursday, amidst ongoing tensions despite a U.S.-mediated framework agreement.
Israeli bulldozers carried out explosions and demolitions in the area surrounding the town of Majdal Zoun, while artillery shelling targeted the outskirts of the town and neighbouring areas, the NNA said. “Large-scale material damage was also recorded in several villages in the south.”
The NNA said that Israeli forces’ activities came “amid repeated raids launched against southern Lebanon.” On June 28, Israel said its troops destroyed a 200-meter tunnel in Majdal Zoun, which it claims was used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement to operate out of Lebanon. Israeli officials claimed the raid would dismantle the group’s underground infrastructure.
Lebanese officials have repeatedly charged that Israel, through demolitions, has engaged in systematic destruction of civilian property and infrastructure in the south, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam calling the demolitions a violation of humanitarian law and international law. He rejected Israel’s claim that it is targeting infrastructure for military reasons.
Israel says its troops target such structures to prevent the building of a military establishment within 25 km of its border by Hezbollah.
