South Lebanon's Fight to Rebuild Amidst Ongoing Conflict

In 2025, a troubling pattern emerged in South Lebanon. Reports surfaced that the Israeli military was deliberately hindering reconstruction efforts in the region, even after a ceasefire was supposed to be in effect since late 2024. This alleged behavior raised serious concerns about international law compliance. The accusations came from Human Rights Watch (HRW), which highlighted that the attacks were not random. Instead, they were targeted at heavy machinery and areas where civilians were attempting to rebuild their lives. This deliberate obstruction made it incredibly difficult for displaced individuals to return home and resume normalcy. The scale of destruction was immense. Between late 2023 and early 2025, over 10, 000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. The attacks on reconstruction equipment occurred months after the ceasefire, including strikes on machinery stores and a cement factory, which resulted in civilian casualties.HRW investigated four major incidents and found no evidence that the targeted equipment was being used for military purposes. They argued that the potential future use of such equipment did not justify the attacks. The group emphasized that only objects directly involved in military actions could be legally targeted. The report urged Israel's allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, to take action. HRW called for these countries to halt military aid to Israel and impose sanctions on officials involved in the attacks. Additionally, they encouraged Lebanon to investigate these incidents and consider joining the International Criminal Court. The situation remains dire. Displaced individuals cannot return home until the international community exerts pressure on Israel to cease these attacks. HRW stressed the urgency of addressing this ongoing crisis to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.