The displaced families of Mansouri, a village in southern Lebanon, have been observing the ongoing destruction of their homes from the vantage point of a nearby hill. This scene unfolded on Friday as Israeli drones reportedly dropped explosives on their residences, a situation that the locals claim has become a daily occurrence since their forced evacuation several weeks prior.

Although tensions have moderated following a ceasefire in June, control of southern Lebanon has largely shifted to the Israeli military, which continues its demolition activities in the region. Now residing in the adjacent village of Hanniyeh or elsewhere, the former residents of Mansouri expressed deep concern as they watched plumes of smoke and dust rise from their village.

The destruction of their homes, farms, and livelihoods has left them feeling hopeless about their ability to return. Reports indicate that over 300,000 individuals remain displaced due to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the scale of the crisis.

Destruction and Lack of Political Progress

Lebanese state media reported that on the same day, the Israeli military had also detonated the public school in Mansouri, adding to the community’s heartache. In light of these developments, the Israeli military has yet to provide an official comment regarding the demolitions.

Displaced individuals voiced their grievances not only against Israel but also against the Lebanese government, accusing it of neglecting their plight and effectively abandoning the village. Ali Hussein Ghanem, a tobacco farmer who has sought refuge with relatives in Hanniyeh, expressed his dismay, questioning why the state has failed to protect their town and allowed its destruction by external forces.

Similarly, Wissam Khashabi, a local beekeeper, lamented the loss of property and livelihoods, asserting that the government is not taking adequate action to support affected residents. In a related development, Israeli officials disclosed that they had targeted Hezbollah tunnel networks near Ali Taher ridge, an area in the vicinity of Nabatiyeh, during the same week.

The explosions reportedly reverberated throughout nearby regions, marking a continuation of the military operations within southern Lebanon, even as residents of Mansouri grapple with their ongoing displacement.

Historical Context of the Conflict

The current escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah dates back to March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets following earlier operations by Israel and the United States against Iran. After a brief lull due to the June ceasefire, many residents returned to Mansouri, only to leave again last month when the Israeli military ordered an evacuation and resumed their strikes.

Israel asserted that these actions were a response to alleged ceasefire violations by Hezbollah, yet the rationale behind the subsequent demolitions remains unclear. Currently, some displaced individuals are living with family, while others have sought temporary shelter in schools located in the city of Tyre.

At the height of the conflict, displacement figures reached approximately 1.2 million across Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire enabling a return for many, over 300,000 remain uprooted from their homes and communities. In June, a framework agreement was struck between Lebanon and Israel aimed at facilitating a withdrawal by Israel contingent on the disarmament of Hezbollah.

However, tangible progress towards that goal has stalled. Upcoming discussions between Lebanese and Israeli officials are scheduled for later this month in Rome, yet for the displaced families of Mansouri, the destruction of their village continues unabated.

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