QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Amnesty International urged on Tuesday an investigation into the Israeli military’s widespread and deliberate destruction of civilian property and agricultural land across southern Lebanon, describing the actions as potential war crimes.
In a briefing, the human rights organization analyzed the period between Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon on Oct. 1, 2024 and Jan. 26, 2025. During this time, more than 10,000 structures were reported as heavily damaged or destroyed.
The briefing notes that much of the destruction occurred after the Israeli military had already secured control of the areas, outside the context of active combat.
Under international humanitarian law (IHL), the destruction of civilian property is prohibited unless justified by imperative military necessity. Amnesty International’s findings suggest that many of these demolitions were carried out without such necessity, placing them in apparent violation of IHL.
“The Israeli military’s destruction of civilian homes, property and land in southern Lebanon rendered entire areas uninhabitable and ruined countless lives,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.
Israel stated that some demolitions targeted structures previously used by Hezbollah fighters, including weapons storage or locations above tunnels, to prevent future attacks.
However, Amnesty International emphasized that preventing potential future attacks does not satisfy the IHL standard of imperative military necessity. Previous use by a combatant group does not automatically make civilian buildings legitimate military objectives.
Amnesty International called on Israeli authorities to provide full reparations to victims, both individuals and entire communities. The organization also urged the Lebanese government to explore legal avenues for reparations, including engaging the International Criminal Court.
Additionally, Amnesty recommended that all states suspend arms transfers and military assistance to Israel due to the risk these could be used to commit serious violations of international law.