Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the IDF systematically destroyed 24 villages along the southern Lebanon border, leveling 90% of homes — between 15,000 and 20,000 houses — in accordance with the 'Rafah model' he previously outlined. Katz stated that southern Lebanon would become 'Gaza' and that the IDF used bulldozers and explosives to demolish villages that had served as Hezbollah military bases.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, in a statement early Sunday, detailed the scale of destruction his ministry said the IDF has inflicted on villages in southern Lebanon near the border. Katz said that the IDF systematically destroyed 24 villages, demolishing 90% of the homes — between 15,000 and 20,000 structures — using bulldozers and explosives. He reiterated that southern Lebanon would become 'Gaza' and that Israel was applying the 'Rafah model' used in the Gaza Strip.
The Zioneer has previously reported on similar statements from Katz and other officials. On June 16, Katz said the IDF was thwarting Hezbollah tunnels and destroying terror infrastructure in villages near the border fence. On June 8, Minister Ze'ev Elkin said the IDF was systematically destroying Hezbollah infrastructure in nearly every house in southern Lebanon. Channel 14 reported on June 30 that 73% of terror infrastructure was destroyed in the eastern sector, with approximately 16,000 houses demolished. A Lebanese MP opposed to Hezbollah said on June 29 that Israel would destroy Hezbollah's military infrastructure in the south.
Katz's statement provides the first comprehensive official figures on the destruction, though the numbers are not independently verified. The IDF has not issued a separate confirmation.
- DevelopingIDF reportedly razing villages in southern Lebanon overnight
- DevelopingMinister Ze'ev Elkin: IDF systematically destroying Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon
- DevelopingLebanese reports: IDF demolishes buildings in southern Lebanese village
- DevelopingKatz: IDF thwarting Hezbollah tunnels, destroying terror infrastructure near Lebanon border fence
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