Satellite imagery and videos show widespread destruction in six villages along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, revealing 1,085 buildings that have been levelled or badly damaged since its October 1 invasion aimed at crippling the militant group Hezbollah.

Earlier this month, The New York Times, using satellite imagery, verified the destruction of scores of buildings in two other villages.

The images offer only a glimpse at the situation in southern Lebanon. There has been little access to the area since the invasion began and the extent of the damage is unclear.

Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah, which began launching rocket attacks from southern Lebanon in solidarity with Hamas after its October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and the country’s ensuing retaliation in the Gaza Strip. Both Israel and Lebanon have since traded fire across the border.

Israel says its ground invasion is aimed at returning Israelis to border communities. The country has accused Hezbollah of placing military infrastructure in civilian areas, and said it had issued advance evacuation warnings to civilians. Many in the region have fled, with some towns entirely depopulated. The United Nations says 1.4 million people have been displaced across the country.

According to the Times’ latest analysis, one village, Mhaibib, appears to have been virtually flattened, with only a handful of buildings still standing. In five other villages and towns, entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble.

Hezbollah has made clear that it is active in the area. In statements on Telegram, the group said it had targeted Israeli military positions in five of the villages, and had fought with Israeli forces in one.

The most severe destruction has been in the town of Meiss al-Jabal, which had a prewar population of about 8,000. At least 311 buildings were destroyed or badly damaged, The Times found.

In the nearby town of Blida at least 168 buildings were destroyed, with a mosque in an ancient building flattened and its minaret toppled.

In Aita al-Shaab, satellite imagery shows at least 206 buildings were destroyed, virtually flattening the entire eastern part of the village.

New York Times News Service