Israel's intensified bombing campaign in Lebanon has caused more destruction to buildings in just two weeks than during a year of conflict with Hezbollah, according to satellite radar data analyzed by the BBC.
From October 2 to 14, 2024, over 3,600 buildings in Lebanon were reported damaged or destroyed, representing about 54% of the total estimated damage since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah began just over a year ago. The data was collected by Corey Scher from City University of New York and Jamon Van Den Hoek from Oregon State University, who compared radar satellite images to identify changes in building structures indicating damage.
Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert with Pax for Peace, reviewed the findings and cautioned about the implications of the Israeli bombing. “The Israeli military campaign seems to be creating a ‘dead zone’ in southern Lebanon, aiming to displace the population and hinder Hezbollah's ability to regain positions, all at the expense of civilians,” he stated.
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The conflict escalated after Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel on October 8, 2023, following a deadly attack by Hamas on southern Israel. Israel launched a significant military operation in southern Lebanon on September 30, targeting Hezbollah’s weapons and infrastructure with what it described as “limited, localized, targeted raids.”
Recent satellite imagery and military reports indicate that the Israeli bombardment has primarily focused on the southern border region but has also extended to central and northern areas, including the Bekaa Valley and southern suburbs of Beirut. The Israeli military reported striking thousands of Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including in the capital.