“Israel’s deliberate demolition preventing residents from returning,” says HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that the destruction of towns and villages in southern Lebanon by Israeli forces is preventing tens of thousands from returning home.

Ramzi Kaiss, an HRW researcher for Lebanon, criticized Israel’s actions, stating: “Israel’s deliberate demolition of civilian homes and infrastructure and its use of explosive weapons in populated areas are making it impossible for many residents to return to their villages and houses.”

Even for those whose homes remain intact, Kaiss emphasized the dire conditions, questioning, “Even if their houses are still there, how can they return when there is no water, electricity, telecommunications, or health infrastructure?”

Human Rights Watch investigations documented extensive destruction, particularly to essential infrastructure.

Among the affected facilities is a water filtration and pumping station in Tyre, which was destroyed in an Israeli attack on November 18, cutting off water access to approximately 72,000 people.

Though temporary fixes restored partial supply after a month, Kassem Khalifeh, the utility’s chief of supervision, told HRW that the station “needs to be rebuilt from scratch.”