Based on authenticated videos posted by the Israeli military and social media accounts, the British newspaper Guardian reported on 12/4 that Israeli soldiers planted explosives to carry out a large-scale demolition campaign in the villages of Taybeh, Naqoura, and Deir Seryan in Lebanon's southern border region.

The videos show structures in these areas collapsing sequentially in a series of large explosions, resulting in the complete destruction of the three villages.

Lebanese media also reported similar explosions in other border villages, but satellite imagery is not yet available to verify these reports.

Controlled explosions in Deir Seryan village, southern Lebanon, in a video posted on 29/3. Video: X/Golani Combined Combat Team

These extensive demolitions occurred after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called for the destruction of "all houses" in Lebanese border villages, following a model previously applied in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip. This strategy aims to eliminate threats to communities in northern Israel.

The Israeli military stated that the targets in the demolition campaign were Hezbollah infrastructure, such as tunnels and fortifications, "hidden in civilian homes" within these villages. Israel also declared its intention to occupy a large area in southern Lebanon, establishing a "security zone" across the entire region extending to the Litani River.

Houses collapsing in Naqoura village, southern Lebanon, in a video posted on 4/4. Video: X/DruatJeanMich1

However, international organizations argue that such large-scale explosive demolitions could be considered indiscriminate destruction, constituting a war crime. "Hezbollah's potential use of some civilian structures in Lebanese border villages for military purposes is not a pretext for carrying out large-scale destruction of these entire villages", said Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanese researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Residents of these border villages had evacuated since the conflict began. They only learned of their homes' destruction by watching videos on social media.

"The village's common courtyard was blown up. I had a shop there. A lifetime was tied to that place: my work, memories, everything. Everything exploded before my eyes", recounted Ahmad Abu Taam, 56 years old, a construction material shop owner in Taybeh, who left in 2024. "From that moment, I felt I had become a refugee".

Explosions in Taybeh village, southern Lebanon, in a video posted on 6/4. Video: Israeli Army

During the Gaza conflict, the Israeli military destroyed 90% of homes in Rafah, in the southern part of the strip, a tactic experts call "domicide". This is the systematic destruction of homes, rendering an entire area uninhabitable.

Ahmad Ibrahim, 50 years old, a farmer in Deir Seryan village, noted that Lebanon is in spring, and the village should soon be covered in green, with flowers blooming.

"My entire life has been in this village; I have hardly ever traveled more than 10 to 13 km away. It was a very beautiful village. The people were kind and generous", Mr. Ibrahim said.

Villages in southern Lebanon targeted in Israel's destruction campaign, from 2/3 to 4/4. Graphic: ACLED

Mohammed Hashem, a 65-year-old doctor, worked 18 h a day for 15 years to save money and build the Luna Motel in Naqoura village in 2012. The hotel once hosted international guests, including United Nations peacekeepers during their days off.

"That was our family's livelihood. We used to live very peacefully, doing well in business", Mr. Hashem said, after seeing videos of his hotel's destruction on social media.

Duc Trung (According to Guardian, AP, Reuters)