Journalists from the BBC recently gained exclusive access to parts of southern Lebanon currently held by the Israeli military. Traveling with a humanitarian aid mission organized by the Order of Malta, the team visited isolated Christian communities in the region. The visit occurred on Thursday, just one day prior to the declaration of a ceasefire regarding the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Although the team observed a significant Israeli military presence, filming restrictions were strictly enforced throughout the journey. Israel has declared its intention to maintain a long-term presence in the area, aiming to establish a security buffer zone along the border to shield northern Israeli towns from rocket and drone attacks.
Observations within the occupied territory revealed that numerous Shia-majority villages have suffered total destruction due to targeted demolition and aerial bombardments. Various human rights organizations have suggested that these actions may constitute the intentional erasure of civilian infrastructure, potentially qualifying as war crimes.
The reporting team for this account included Hugo Bachega, Neha Sharma, Samantha Granville, and Angie Mrad.
