By Nadine Osman
London, (The Muslim News): Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in Gaza since the ceasefire with Hamas took effect on October 10, satellite imagery reviewed by BBC Verify shows. At the same time, Israeli forces continue to carry out attacks in southern Lebanon, where more than 4,000 people have been killed and nearly 17,000 injured since October 2023, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.
The Gaza demolitions, visible in satellite images taken as recently as November 8, show entire neighbourhoods levelled in less than a month. Many of the destroyed buildings, including houses, gardens, and small orchards, appeared undamaged prior to demolition. Residents displaced from areas such as Abasan al-Kabira reported hearing the destruction from their temporary shelters.
Some experts argue that these demolitions may violate the terms of the ceasefire brokered by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The IDF has defended its actions, saying it is dismantling “terror infrastructure,” including tunnels, in accordance with the ceasefire framework. Analysts, however, warn that continued destruction could undermine the peace plan and violate international laws on civilian property during a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army shelled areas between the towns of Houla and Meiss al-Jabal on Wednesday, hitting Wadi al-Jamal and Birkat al-Tayri, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). Earlier in the week, Israeli forces demolished four homes in the border town of Aitaroun and conducted a drone strike on a vehicle in Bint Jbeil. No casualties were immediately reported in these incidents.
The ceasefire in Lebanon agreed in November 2024 stipulated a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January 2025. The army has only partially pulled back and continues to maintain a presence at five border outposts. Tensions remain high, with Hezbollah issuing a defiant statement asserting that it has “strictly abided by the ceasefire” and reaffirming its right to “defend against an enemy that imposes war upon our country.”
Israeli media, citing officials, have threatened further military action if Hezbollah is not disarmed and the Lebanese army does not comply with ceasefire requirements. KAN news reported that recent airstrikes were carried out “in coordination with the Americans,” stationed at Israel’s Northern Command base since the ceasefire.
The continued violence in Lebanon has hindered reconstruction efforts and prevented displaced civilians from returning home. Many victims have been farmers and shepherds killed while tending to their land and livestock.
The combined picture of ongoing destruction in Gaza and repeated Israeli strikes in Lebanon underscores the fragility of ceasefires in the region, raising concerns among international observers over the sustainability of peace agreements.
[Photo: Smoke rises over the Bkassine Forest in Lebanon’s Jezzine region, one of the largest pine forests in the Middle East, as wildfires spread across the area, on November 11, 2025. Thousands of wild pine trees are under threat after Israeli attacks targeted nearby southern woodlands, with fires continuing to burn in several locations.Photojournalist: Mohamad Zanaty/AA]
