In brief
The BBC gained rare access to parts of southern Lebanon overseen by Israeli troops as a humanitarian convoy from the Order of Malta delivered aid to isolated Christian villages. The team observed Israeli forces and noted heavy damage to predominantly Shia villages, with signs of air strikes or demolitions. Israel maintains its presence to create a security zone free of Hezbollah activity, while human‑rights organisations warn that the destruction of civilian infrastructure could amount to war crimes. The report was made in the lead‑up to a ceasefire announcement, with journalists Hugo Bachega and Neha Sharma covering the scene.
The BBC, in a special report, captured rare footage inside Israeli‑occupied territory in southern Lebanon as part of a humanitarian convoy from the Order of Malta, which sought to deliver aid to Christian villages cut off by the ongoing conflict.
The convoy travelled to areas that have been besieged for months, and the journalist team – led by Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega and video journalist Neha Sharma – described the stark presence of Israeli troops, along with the lack of permission to film large parts of the journey.
What emerged on camera were villages largely inhabited by Shia Muslims that had been devastated by Israeli air‑strikes or forced demolitions, evidence of a scorched‑earth strategy some experts argue could qualify as war crimes against civilians.
Israel’s government explains that troops remain to form a “security zone” along Lebanon’s northern border, claiming it protects Israeli communities from Hezbollah rockets and drones, while also insisting it has no plans to withdraw troops from the occupied zone.
The footage was taken a day before the two sides announced a new ceasefire, a development that marks a pivotal shift in the long‑standing hostilities between Israel and the Shia Islamist militia Hezbollah.
Human rights groups highlight that the intense destruction of households, schools and infrastructure, especially in predominantly Shia areas, could amount to deliberate targeting of civilian assets – a potential violation of international law.
Additional contextual reporting was provided by Samantha Granville and Angie Mrad, further underscoring the complexities of the region and the broad international reaction to the ongoing conflict.
