Lebanon condemns destruction of homes in the south – Katz confirms demolitions

Beirut – 12 August 2026: Lebanon has sharply condemned the continued destruction of residential homes in the Israeli-controlled south of the country. On Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry described the demolitions as systematic and demanded their immediate end. The remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz prompted the statement. He confirmed that the army was having homes demolished in the area it holds.

Katz justified the action on the grounds of Israel’s security interests along its northern border. Buildings are being removed if, according to Israel’s account, they had been used by Hezbollah or could endanger soldiers. The Lebanese government rejects this justification. It considers the demolitions a violation of state sovereignty and international humanitarian law.

The dispute concerns an area in southern Lebanon where the Israeli army remains present. Residents of numerous localities are unable to return or find severely damaged buildings when they do. For families who had already fled the fighting, the loss of their homes means further displacement. Without habitable accommodation, it is also difficult to resume schooling, work and care for elderly relatives.

Israel’s defense minister had already announced in recent months that he intended to clear border-area localities of infrastructure that, from Israel’s perspective, could be used for military purposes. At the end of July, according to several news agencies, Katz said that 24 villages in southern Lebanon had been completely destroyed. Independently verifiable overall figures on the demolitions currently being criticized are not yet available. The precise extent of the areas still controlled by Israel is also a matter of political dispute.

The United Nations has repeatedly stated that the continued Israeli military presence and operations in southern Lebanon are making it difficult for civilians to return. The UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL continues to record violations along the so-called Blue Line. This is not an internationally recognized state border, but a withdrawal line established by the United Nations between Israel and Lebanon.

The latest allegations come at a time of stalled negotiations. Talks between Lebanon, Israel and the United States on the gradual handover of individual areas to the Lebanese army remained without a breakthrough in early August. Israel is primarily demanding measures against Hezbollah’s armament. Beirut, meanwhile, is calling for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.

The Lebanese government has coupled its criticism with a demand that civilians be allowed access to their localities again. Until then, destroyed homes and restricted areas in many communities are preventing a lasting return.