A rare look inside occupied southern Lebanon: Israeli flags and flattened homes

Key Points:

• Israeli forces have occupied a 10-kilometer strip of southern Lebanon since March, following Hezbollah’s renewed attacks, resulting in widespread destruction of Shia Muslim villages and displacement of over 350,000 people.
• Three predominantly Christian villages—Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and Debel—have largely been spared from bombardment but remain isolated, with residents only able to travel via UN-coordinated convoys requiring Israeli approval.
• The Lebanese army has begun limited deployments in “pilot zones” within the occupied territory under a US-led framework, but faces significant challenges including lack of funding, ongoing Israeli attacks, and the presence of unexploded ordnance.
• Sectarian tensions persist, with Hezbollah maintaining strong support among Shia communities and the Lebanese military cautious about aggressive actions to avoid reigniting internal conflict.
• Negotiations for Israeli withdrawal have stalled, with Israeli officials showing no intent to pull back; meanwhile, residents express deep resentment over the destruction and ongoing violence, fearing long-term instability.