Tue Feb 18 09:29:55 UTC 2025: ## Israeli Ceasefire Violated: Southern Lebanon Village Devastated by Post-War Demolitions
**NAQOURA, Southern Lebanon –** The residents of Naqoura are reeling from the widespread destruction of their homes and infrastructure, inflicted by Israeli forces *after* a ceasefire agreement supposedly ended a year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. While the October 2023-November 2024 war devastated much of southern Lebanon, the post-ceasefire demolition of homes and vital infrastructure in Naqoura has left residents heartbroken and bewildered.
Municipal head Abbas Awada, whose family home was razed after surviving a year of intense fighting, described the destruction as deliberate and pointless. Similar accounts emerged from other residents, including 75-year-old Ali Shaabi, whose home was burned, and Reem Taher, whose house was reduced to rubble after surviving previous air raids. Satellite imagery confirms the sudden and extensive destruction occurring after the November 27, 2024 ceasefire.
According to the ceasefire agreement, Israel was to withdraw its troops and Hezbollah was to retreat north of the Litani River. However, Israel continued military operations, justifying them as efforts to “dismantle and destroy” Hezbollah. This resulted in numerous ceasefire violations, with ACLED documenting over 330 air strikes and shelling incidents since the ceasefire, and Legal Agenda recording over 855 violations by late January. The Israeli military’s presence in Naqoura was extended beyond the initially agreed-upon date, despite objections from the Lebanese government.
The destruction in Naqoura isn’t just limited to homes; infrastructure, including the mosque, cemetery, roads, water, and electricity systems, has been systematically targeted. The scale of the damage, including the uprooting of fruit trees and the shooting of civilian belongings, has left many questioning the purpose of the actions, particularly given the fact that the demolitions targeted a predominantly Shia town where Hezbollah support is strong. Residents emphasize that not all Shia are Hezbollah members.
The incidents, categorized as controlled explosions and bulldozing, occurred between December 11, 2024, and January 6, 2025, according to ACLED, which documented 14 separate incidents, each involving multiple houses. The actions are a clear violation of international law, leaving the residents of Naqoura grappling with loss and demanding accountability for the post-ceasefire destruction. The residents’ accounts paint a picture of a ceasefire turned lie, leaving them with nothing but rubble and the bitter taste of betrayal.
First Piper 