Lebanon: A Chronicle of Israeli Aggression – An Investigative Exposé of War, Occupation, and Violations of Human Rights
For over seven decades, #Lebanon has been a frontline in #Israel 's ongoing military aggression. As a Lebanese-born and raised individual, I cannot stay silent in the face of these atrocities. From invasions to occupations, bombings, and relentless human rights violations, the scale of suffering inflicted on Lebanon demands immediate global attention. This post sheds light on the systematic nature of Israel's actions against Lebanon and the shocking impunity that enables these crimes.
Chapter 1: The Nakba and the Roots of Israeli Aggression (1948–1970s)
The roots of Israel's aggression trace back to its establishment in 1948 by occupying #Palestine and the first Nakba, which displaced over 700,000 Palestinians. Among them, 100,000 fled to Lebanon, finding refuge in overcrowded camps. These camps, especially in the south, would later serve as pretexts for Israeli raids under the guise of targeting Palestinian fighters.
1968 Beirut Airport Raid
In December 1968, Israel bombed Beirut International Airport, destroying 13 civilian airliners in retaliation for a Palestinian attack, even though Lebanon had no direct involvement. The raid marked the beginning of a disturbing trend: targeting Lebanese civilian infrastructure without consequence.
Chapter 2: Israel's 1978 Invasion – Operation Litani
In March 1978, Israel launched Operation Litani, its first full-scale invasion of Lebanon, allegedly targeting the PLO. The consequences for Lebanese civilians were devastating:
- 1,100 civilians killed.
- 250,000 people displaced as their homes and livelihoods were destroyed.
This operation set the stage for Israel’s continued military presence in southern Lebanon, which would extend for decades.
Chapter 3: The 1982 Invasion and the Sabra and Shatila Massacre
Israel’s 1982 invasion, Operation Peace for Galilee, took the violence to new extremes. Advancing to Beirut, Israeli forces laid siege to the city, bombarding it ruthlessly.
- 6,700 civilians perished in the bombardments on homes, hospitals, and refugee camps.
- The total death toll over three months exceeded 17,825 – most of them civilians.
Sabra and Shatila Massacre
In September, Israeli-backed Phalangist militias entered the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps, slaughtering between 800 and 3,500 Palestinian men, women, and children. Israeli forces, stationed outside the camps, fired flares to illuminate the massacre, a war crime for which Ariel Sharon was found indirectly responsible – yet he faced no significant repercussions.
Chapter 4: Occupation and Resistance – 1985–2000
Following their withdrawal from Beirut, Israel maintained a harsh occupation of southern Lebanon for nearly 20 years, enforced by the SLA. The notorious Khiam Detention Center became a symbol of torture and abuse, where civilians were subjected to unimaginable horrors.
Hezbollah's Rise
The occupation also gave rise to Hezbollah, which led a fierce resistance that ultimately forced Israel’s retreat in 2000, after 18 years of occupation.
Chapter 5: The 2006 Lebanon War – Widespread Destruction
In July 2006, Israel launched a massive assault in retaliation for Hezbollah’s capture of two Israeli soldiers. The 34-day war left a trail of destruction:
- 1,191 civilians killed.
- Over 1 million displaced.
- 15,000 homes and critical infrastructure, including Beirut’s airport, were destroyed.
Cluster Bombs
In the final 72 hours of the conflict, Israel dropped over 4 million cluster bombs across southern Lebanon. These unexploded bomblets have killed and injured over 300 civilians since the war, making everyday life perilous in the region.
Chapter 6: The 2024 Escalation – Unprecedented Destruction
In September 2024, Israel launched Operation Northern Arrows in response to Hezbollah’s cross-border activities, unleashing unprecedented devastation on Lebanon. The toll on civilians, especially children, has been staggering.
By October 3, 2024, the total death toll had reached 2,083, including 127 children and 261 women, with 9,869 injured. The situation for Lebanon’s most vulnerable, particularly children, paints a grim picture:
- In the last 11 days of September 2024, more than 100 children were killed by Israeli strikes.
- On September 23-24, airstrikes claimed the lives of 558 people, including 50 children and 94 women in just 48 hours.
- Over the past six weeks, more than 690 children have been injured, with 400,000 children displaced from their homes due to the conflict.
Health Sector Impact
- 10 hospitals have been damaged, including a neonatal intensive care unit, compounding the already desperate healthcare situation.
- Since October 2023, 35 hospitals and clinics have been hit by airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of 77 health workers and further undermining Lebanon’s healthcare infrastructure.
Economic Ruin
- 24,000 buildings destroyed or damaged, resulting in $1.7 billion in damages, with projections estimating $5 billion by the end of 2024.
- 360,000 people left without access to clean water due to the destruction of 25 water facilities.
Additional Casualties
In a particularly devastating attack on September 17-18, strikes targeting communication devices resulted in 37 deaths, including children. In the town of Charqiyeh in eastern Sidon, an airstrike killed five children, adding to the growing number of young lives lost.
Chapter 7: Economic Collapse and Environmental Catastrophe
Israel’s repeated assaults have pushed Lebanon’s economy to the brink:
- Tourism losses: 310,015 fewer visitors in 2024.
- Poverty rates have surged to 82%, with the total cost of war estimated at $10 billion.
Environmental Destruction
Israel’s use of white phosphorus and other incendiary weapons has severely polluted water sources and agricultural land, leaving long-term ecological damage that Lebanon will feel for generations.
Chapter 8: Impunity and the International Community’s Failure
Despite a clear record of war crimes, Israel continues to act with impunity. Repeated calls for investigations by the UN have led to no meaningful consequences. This failure erodes not only Lebanon’s rights but the global principles of justice and human rights.
Conclusion: A Call for Global Accountability
For decades, Lebanon has suffered unimaginable losses due to Israeli aggression. From Beirut to southern villages, the damage is incalculable. The world must no longer turn a blind eye. We demand:
1. An immediate halt to Israeli attacks.
2. Independent investigations into Israel’s war crimes.
3. International accountability.
4. Humanitarian aid for the displaced.
5. Support for Lebanon’s reconstruction.
The time for justice is now.
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