In brief
BBC reporters were granted rare access to Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon as part of a humanitarian convoy from the Order of Malta. They documented the stark devastation of predominantly Shia villages, claiming the destruction was caused by Israeli air strikes and demolitions. Israel maintains its presence and plans to establish a security belt against Hezbollah, while human rights groups warn of potential war crimes. The story was reported by Hugo Bachega and Neha Sharma, with additional contributions from Samantha Granville and Angie Mrad.
The BBC has been granted rare access to the part of southern Lebanon that is under Israeli occupation, as part of a humanitarian convoy organised by the Order of Malta to distribute aid to Christian villages that have been isolated because of the conflict.
The mission took place on Thursday, a day before the announcement of a new ceasefire in the confrontation between Israel and the Shia Muslim armed group Hezbollah.
Israel claims it has no intention of withdrawing its troops from Lebanon, and says its plan is to create a security zone along the border that is Hezbollah‑free, designed to shield northern communities from the group's rockets and drones.
In the occupied areas, mainly Shia villages have been completely destroyed by Israeli air strikes or demolitions. Human rights groups argue that some of the damage amounts to deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, potentially a war crime.
BBC’s Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega and video journalist Neha Sharma report from southern Lebanon.
Additional reporting by Samantha Granville and Angie Mrad.
