Lebanese accuse Israel of wiping their towns off the map

Lebanon is reeling from the devastating impact of Israeli military actions in the south, which residents and officials are describing as "urbicide" – the deliberate destruction of urban areas. Hala Farah, a mother of two from Yaroun, shared her heartbreak as she collects photos and videos to preserve the memory of her hometown, now reduced to rubble. "All that's left are memories and some pictures that we and the neighbors are trying to collect... so that we can tell our children what Yaroun was like," she told AFP, her voice breaking.

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All that's left are memories and some pictures that we and the neighbors are trying to collect... so that we can tell our children what Yaroun was like.

The scale of destruction is immense, affecting homes, infrastructure, schools, places of worship, and farmland. Satellite images and AFP journalist accounts confirm that even areas spared in previous conflicts have now been decimated. Displaced families are pooling money to buy satellite images for a glimpse of their former homes, sharing before-and-after photos on social media. An activist whose grandfather's home in Nabatieh was destroyed and a writer mourning his book collection in Bint Jbeil are among those bearing witness to the devastation.

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I had hoped my daughters would grow up in the family home.

Environment Minister Tamara Zein has echoed the sentiment, accusing Israel of "urbicide." This term highlights the deliberate targeting of civilian areas, a stark contrast to Israel's stated aim of targeting Hezbollah sites. The ongoing destruction, even after a ceasefire, fuels anger and despair among Lebanese citizens who feel their towns are being systematically wiped off the map, making return increasingly impossible.

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Israel is trying to remove all the essential elements of life necessary for return.

From a Lebanese perspective, this is not just collateral damage; it is a targeted assault on our very existence and heritage. The international community's response, or lack thereof, is deeply concerning as our towns are erased. The narrative of self-defense by Israel does not align with the reality of widespread civilian infrastructure destruction. We are left to document the loss and hope for a future where our homes can be rebuilt, but the scars of this destruction run deep, both physically and emotionally.

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What happened during the truce confirms that Israel's goal is the urbicide of the south, including Yaroun.