In southern Lebanon, residents of the village of Mansouri continue to witness the destruction of their homes as Israeli drones conduct aerial demolitions in the area. Since Israel declared a partial occupation of parts of southern Lebanon following recent hostilities with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese resistance group, the village has been subjected to regular bombing raids.
Many villagers fled Mansouri weeks ago amid escalating violence linked to the renewed conflict, which initially erupted in March. Although a ceasefire was declared in June, stabilizing active fighting, Israeli forces have maintained a presence throughout the region and frequently carry out strikes targeting structures in Mansouri. Early Friday, the Israeli military demolished the village’s public school, according to Lebanese state media reports.
Displaced residents, now taking shelter in the nearby village of Hanniyeh or in school shelters in the city of Tyre, expressed frustration and disappointment with both the Lebanese government and Israeli military actions. Ali Hussein Ghanem, a tobacco farmer staying with relatives in Hanniyeh along with his family, questioned the state's role in protecting its citizens. "Isn’t the state supposed to protect our town rather than hand it over to Israel?" he said as he observed smoke rising over Mansouri.
Similarly, beekeeper Wissam Khashabi pointed to the destruction of livelihoods and property, including orchards and agricultural land, lamenting what he described as a lack of government intervention. Many in Mansouri experienced multiple displacements—initially fleeing when fighting resumed in March, returning after the June truce, then evacuating again when Israeli forces issued warnings and intensified demolitions last month.
The conflict has had a significant humanitarian impact, with an estimated 1.2 million people displaced during the height of the war in Lebanon. While the June ceasefire allowed most to return home, over 300,000 individuals remain displaced.
The renewed hostilities began on March 2, following rocket exchanges initiated by Hezbollah shortly after joint strikes by Israel and the United States against Iran. In June, Lebanon and Israel agreed in principle to a framework aiming for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory alongside Hezbollah’s disarmament. However, there has been limited progress in implementing these provisions.
Officials from both countries are scheduled to meet next month in Rome for another round of U.S.-mediated negotiations aimed at advancing the peace process and addressing unresolved issues related to the conflict, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department.