In brief
During a humanitarian convoy by the Order of Malta, BBC reporters explored southern Lebanon’s occupied areas, observing Israeli military forces and the ruins of Christian villages that have been isolated by conflict. Israel maintains that the troops will remain to create a security zone, while the damaged villages—subject of possible war‑crime allegations—raise serious humanitarian concerns. The reporting, led by Hugo Bachega and Neha Sharma, highlights the continuing fallout of the Israel‑Hezbollah conflict.
BBC reporters were granted rare access to the occupied section of southern Lebanon, a region under Israeli military control. They visited Christian villages that had been isolated during the broader Israel‑Hezbollah conflict.
The journalists witnessed Israeli troops on the ground but were unable to film most of the journey. Israel’s statement is that it will not withdraw its forces, aiming instead to establish a border security zone free of Hezbollah activity to protect northern Israeli communities from rockets and drones.
Shia villages in the occupied area have endured extensive destruction through air strikes and demolitions. Human rights groups argue that some of the damage amounts to deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, potentially constituting a war crime.
BBC’s Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega and video journalist Neha Sharma report from southern Lebanon. Additional reporting by Samantha Granville and Angie Mrad is also included.
