ALWAGHT- Human Rights Watch says Israeli attacks on reconstruction machinery and civilian factories in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire breach the laws of war and amount to war crimes.
Human Rights Watch says Israel committed apparent war crimes by repeatedly targeting reconstruction equipment and civilian facilities in southern Lebanon throughout 2025, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024. According to HRW, the attacks violated the laws of war, obstructed postwar recovery, and prevented tens of thousands of displaced residents from returning home after widespread destruction along the southern border.
HRW documented extensive damage from strikes on heavy machinery showrooms, maintenance facilities, and a major cement and asphalt factory. The organization said more than 10,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed between October 2023 and January 2025, and that post-ceasefire attacks further undermined reconstruction. HRW concluded that these strikes unlawfully targeted civilian infrastructure essential to recovery.
The investigation focused on four major attacks between August and October 2025 in Deir Seryan, Ansariyeh, Msayleh, and Sinay. These strikes killed three civilians, injured at least 11 others, and destroyed more than 360 pieces of heavy machinery as well as a large industrial factory, causing losses exceeding tens of millions of dollars. HRW found no evidence that the targeted sites or equipment were used for military purposes, despite Israeli claims linking them to Hezbollah.
HRW warned that deliberately attacking civilian objects can constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law. The organization called on Israel’s allies to suspend military assistance and arms transfers, urged accountability through sanctions and investigations, and pressed Lebanon to pursue legal avenues, including accession to the International Criminal Court, to protect reconstruction efforts and enable displaced residents to return.
