Human Rights Watch said today that Israeli forces have expanded their ground operations in southern Lebanon after signaling an intent to forcibly displace residents, destroy civilian homes, and carry out strikes that may target civilians. Forced displacement, wanton destruction, and deliberate attacks on civilians constitute war crimes. Countries that continue to provide Israel with weapons and military assistance risk complicity in serious violations committed by the Israeli government in Lebanon.
On 22 March, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the “acceleration of the demolition of Lebanese homes in border villages to neutralize threats against Israeli towns – following the model of Beit Hanoun and Rafah in the Gaza Strip.” On 16 March 2026, Katz also declared that “hundreds of thousands of Shiite residents in southern Lebanon […] will not return to their homes south of the Litani area until the security of northern [Israel] residents is ensured.” Evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army for residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs between 11 and 15 March warned that the army “will not hesitate to strike anyone present near Hezbollah members, facilities, or combat means.”
Since 2 March, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,029 people in Lebanon, including 118 children and 40 healthcare workers, as of 22 March, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. In recent days, Hezbollah has reportedly launched an average of around 150 rockets daily, according to the Israeli army, injuring at least 15 people in Israel based on Israeli media reports.
On 4 and 5 March, the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for all residents south of the Litani River and for all residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Since 12 March, these evacuation zones have been expanded to include areas south of the Zahrani River, approximately 15 kilometers north of the Litani and 40 kilometers from Lebanon’s southern border with Israel. More than one million people in Lebanon have been displaced to date.
Statements by the Israeli Defense Minister suggest that Shiite residents of southern Lebanon may be prevented from returning to their homes for an indefinite period based on unspecified security criteria. Human Rights Watch noted that the sweeping nature of the displacement orders, combined with the absence of protections for displaced civilians, raises concerns of the war crime of forced displacement.
The apparent targeting of Shiite populations in particular indicates that such measures may be imposed based on religion, constituting a violation of human rights and suggesting that civilian protection is not the primary objective.
Orders to accelerate the destruction of Lebanese homes raise serious concerns regarding the war crime of wanton destruction and violations of the prohibition under international law against deliberate destruction of civilian property, except where strictly required by military necessity. Under the laws of war, the mere possibility that armed groups might use civilian structures in the future does not justify widespread destruction of entire residential areas.
Between 11 and 15 March, the Arabic-language spokesperson of the Israeli army issued at least five evacuation orders, nearly identical in wording, for residents of seven neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs, following an earlier blanket evacuation order on 5 March. These statements instructed residents to “evacuate immediately” and not to return “until further notice.”
The orders also stated that the Israeli army “will not hesitate to strike anyone present near Hezbollah members or their facilities or means.” This language marks a shift from previous warnings, which stated that such presence “endangers lives.”
On 5 March, Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who holds a seat in the security cabinet and serves as Finance Minister, stated in a video filmed at the Lebanese-Israeli border that Beirut’s southern suburbs “will soon look like Khan Younis” in Gaza. Human Rights Watch has previously documented war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide committed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
These statements, combined with previous conduct by Israeli forces in Lebanon, raise serious concerns that civilians may be targeted solely based on their presence in areas where Hezbollah operates.
Since 7 October 2023, Israeli forces have committed numerous alleged violations of the laws of war in Lebanon without accountability, including attacks on journalists, civilians, paramedics, financial institutions, reconstruction-related facilities, and peacekeeping forces. They have also unlawfully used white phosphorus in populated areas, among other violations. Human Rights Watch has documented several unlawful attacks in Lebanon involving US-made weapons.
In a statement issued on 18 March, the Israeli military spokesperson in Arabic announced that bridges crossing the Litani River would be targeted “to prevent the transfer of reinforcements and combat equipment.” Between 13 and 22 March, the Israeli army reported striking at least four bridges across the Litani.
Civilians who remain in place after evacuation orders are still fully protected under international humanitarian law. Forced displacement is prohibited under the laws of war except when required for the security of civilians or for imperative military reasons.
Individuals who commit serious violations of the laws of war with criminal intent – whether deliberately or recklessly – may be prosecuted for war crimes. Individuals may also be held criminally responsible for aiding, facilitating, or inciting the commission of such crimes.
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