Two people were killed today in the southern Lebanese town of Mayfadoun when they came upon unexploded ordinance left behind in a recent Israeli operation against the area. This brought the number of confirmed deaths in this year’s invasion of Lebanon to 4,346, with over 12,000 others wounded.
Israeli strikes were also reported today against the nearby town of Mansouri, causing a fire, as well as overnight against a home in a residential neighborhood of Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The home was destroyed, but what casualties were inflicted are as of yet unclear.
Israeli operations today, however, were principally focused on expanding the level of destruction across the south, with mass demolitions reported in multiple towns, using both localized ordinance explosions and artillery shelling against the buildings.
In the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, the demolitions centered on civilian infrastructure, with forces leveling a four-storey schoolhouse as well as a nearby clinic and nursery. The town hall has reportedly also been totally destroyed.
Demolitions were also reported further south in the town of Tallouseh and the village of Houla. Those areas are under forced evacuation orders, so exactly what Israel is demolishing is generally only confirmed after the fact with satellite imagery. Explosions, however, were heard in both towns.
Lebanese officials continue to talk about a planned post-war reconstruction, but as the extent of the destruction continues to grow daily and Israel seems to be setting up for a semi-permanent occupation of the area, it’s not clear either the scope of the operation or when it will be able to begin.
