Satellite Images Show Severity of Israeli Bombing in Lebanon's Conflict

Photo : AP

Israel's intensified bombing campaign in Lebanon has caused unprecedented destruction, with satellite data indicating that the damage within just two weeks is greater than what occurred during an entire year of conflict with Hezbollah. According to an analysis of satellite-based radar data, over 3,600 buildings in Lebanon have been damaged or destroyed between October 2 and 14, 2024. This accounts for approximately 54% of the total damage reported since the onset of cross-border hostilities, which began over a year ago.

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The research was conducted by Corey Scher from City University of New York and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University, who used radar satellite imagery to detect changes in building heights and structures, signaling damage. Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert from the Pax for Peace organization, highlighted the implications of Israel’s military campaign, suggesting it aims to create a "dead zone" in southern Lebanon to displace the local population and hinder Hezbollah's operational capabilities, resulting in severe consequences for civilians.

The ongoing conflict escalated when Hezbollah began launching rockets into northern Israel on October 8, 2023, a day after Hamas's deadly assault on southern Israel. In response, Israel initiated a ground invasion of southern Lebanon on September 30, claiming to target Hezbollah's military assets through "limited, localized, targeted raids."

Recent satellite and radar imagery show that Israeli bombardment has primarily concentrated on southern Lebanon but has also spread to central and northern regions, including the Bekaa Valley and parts of Beirut. The Israeli military has asserted that thousands of Hezbollah targets, including in Beirut, have been struck during this campaign. Specifically, the Dahieh area of Beirut, where many civilians reside, has faced numerous attacks, with the Israeli military asserting it houses Hezbollah's command centers.

On September 27, a series of Israeli strikes in this area reportedly resulted in the death of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (Acled), there have been approximately 2,700 Israeli military strikes on Lebanese territories from September 1 to October 11, 2024. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has conducted around 540 attacks against Israel in the same period.

The conflict has led to significant civilian displacement, with Lebanon's government reporting that up to 1.3 million people have been internally displaced, prompting Prime Minister Najib Mikati to warn of unprecedented levels of displacement in the country’s history. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have issued evacuation orders across various regions, including Beirut, urging residents to relocate north of the Awali River to safer areas.

Humanitarian concerns are mounting as the British Red Cross reported insufficient shelter for evacuees, with many children seen sleeping in the streets. Gabriel Karlsson, the organization’s Middle East manager in Beirut, described the situation as a "humanitarian catastrophe," emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian efforts.

Casualty figures are staggering: Lebanese officials report at least 2,350 deaths and over 10,000 injuries from Israeli attacks, with many victims being civilians. On the Israeli side, authorities state that 60 people have died and more than 570 have been injured due to Hezbollah's retaliatory actions.

Former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin acknowledged that "collateral damage is inevitable in war," attributing blame for the ongoing conflict to Hezbollah. In contrast, Zwijnenburg warned of the severe impact of Israeli air strikes on civilian life and populated areas, highlighting the risks posed by the extensive blast radius of such attacks.

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