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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Israeli officers say Lebanon mission focused on 'systematic destruction' of buildings</h1><div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Mera Aladam
<span class="gmail-post-author"><span class="gmail-by">By</span> <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/author/philweiss/" title="Posts by Philip Weiss" class="gmail-author gmail-url gmail-fn" rel="author">Philip Weiss</a></span>
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<span class="gmail-date-link">April 29, 2026</span>
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<p>Troops tell Haaretz the only task is the destruction of everything in predominantly Shia villages</p>
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<img width="558" height="314" src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/styles/max_2600x2600/public/images-story/israeli-troops-tank-north-israel-south-lebanon-boundary-26-april-2026-reuters.jpg.jpg?itok=3FhOargi" alt="An Israeli soldier walks near a military vehicle, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon boundary, 26 April 2026 (Shir Torem/Reuters))" style="margin-right: 0px;">
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<p>An Israeli soldier walks near a military vehicle,
on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon boundary, 26 April 2026 (Shir
Torem/Reuters)</p>
<p><span>Published date:</span> 29 April 2026 15:05 BST
<span>| </span>
<span>Last update:</span> <span id="gmail-date-updatedago">2 hours 15 mins </span> ago </p>
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<div><p>The <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/israel" target="_blank">Israeli</a> army's mission in southern <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/topics/israel-war-lebanon" target="_blank">Lebanon</a> is now focused on the \u201csystematic destruction\u201d of buildings rather than combat, officers have told <a href="https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2026-04-29/ty-article/.premium/0000019d-d4ca-d0b7-abdf-f6cb81380000" target="_blank">Haaretz</a>. </p>
<p>According to the report on Wednesday, the military is operating under
a plan to demolish predominantly Shia villages in an effort they
believe would prevent residents from returning.</p>
<p>As part of the campaign, troops are assigned designated zones to
demolish, with commanders required to record the number of structures
destroyed each day.</p>
<p>\u201cThe only mission is to continue the destruction,\u201d one commander told Haaretz. \u201cThere are no other tasks.\u201d</p>
<p>Another officer disputed Israeli military claims that operations are
aimed at destroying \u201cterrorist infrastructure\u201d, saying: \u201cThese are not
terrorist infrastructures - everything is being destroyed.\u201d</p><div><br></div>
<p>However, a separate officer said there is no blanket order to
demolish all structures, insisting the focus is on underground networks,
weapons, and surveillance and communications systems.</p>
<p>\u201cWe are operating pragmatically, according to operational need,\u201d he said.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://hic-mena.org/activitydetails.php?id=qWhlZw==" target="_blank">Lebanon\u2019s National Council for Scientific Research</a>,
around 40,000 housing units have been partially or completely destroyed
since the beginning of March. On some days, more than 1,000 homes have
been damaged or flattened, with entire neighbourhoods bombed.</p>
<p>Drone footage posted online has shown entire villages in southern
Lebanon rigged and destroyed in controlled explosions by the military. </p>
<h3>Private contractors</h3>
<p>Several soldiers told Haaretz that demolitions are being carried out
by private contractors, who are paid according to the scale of
destruction.</p>
<p>\u201cThe companies profit based on the number of houses [destroyed],\u201d one
soldier said. \u201cAnd we\u2019re there to provide security, at risk to our
lives.\u201d</p>
<div>
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<p>Another said there is \u201cno logic\u201d behind the missions, as soldiers
face increased exposure to Hezbollah drone attacks while securing
demolitions.</p>
<p>\u201cWe stand exposed, guarding demolitions while drones are in the air,\u201d he said.</p>
<p>Since 2 March, Israeli forces have killed at least 2,290 people in
Lebanon, including 100 rescue workers and healthcare personnel, and
wounded 7,544, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Around 1.2
million people have been displaced nationwide.</p>
<p>Although a truce was announced by the US in mid-April, Israeli
strikes on Lebanon have continued, prompting renewed fighting with
Hezbollah.</p>
<p>Israeli forces also remain stationed up to around 10km inside
Lebanese territory, with continued reports of strikes on civilians and
ongoing demolitions.</p>
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