In a loud cry that reflects the depth of the worsening tragedy in southern Lebanon, the Naqoura municipality issued an urgent distress call to the Lebanese leaders, calling on them to intervene immediately to end what it described as the “machine of destruction” that is destroying the town and the property of its residents.
The municipality confirmed in its statement that the people of Naqoura are witnessing the comprehensive destruction of their homes and sources of livelihood, pointing out that homes and shops have been leveled to the ground, and that property is being destroyed under the weight of military operations. The municipality asked in denunciation: “What is the fault of the houses and shops?”, noting that the townspeople suffered displacement from 1978 until 2024, and returned to rebuild what was left, only to face a new wave of devastation today.
The statement addressed what it considered discrimination in dealing with the situation, inquiring about the reason for changing the decision to blow up a hotel and a gas station opposite the UNIFIL headquarters by demolishing them with bulldozers, in order to preserve the headquarters of the international force, without paying attention to the rest of the town. The municipality asked: “Isn’t the UNIFIL headquarters part of the town? And isn’t it the duty of the United Nations to protect the entire area?”
The municipality sent an appeal to senior Lebanese officials, led by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding quick and effective diplomatic action to confront what it described as “war crimes.”
In a related context, the Mukhtar of Naqoura, Ali Awada, stated that an Israeli force raided Naqoura Street opposite the UNIFIL center, where more than 100 soldiers stormed the shops and stole their contents, noting that “the people’s livelihoods are being looted in front of everyone’s eyes.”
Al-Mukhtar called for urgent action to protect the people and their property, questioning the role of the state and international forces in light of these events, calling for the voice of the town to be conveyed to the concerned authorities.
This appeal comes in light of the escalation of tensions and attacks in the border areas, which places the international community and the Lebanese authorities with grave responsibilities to stop this deterioration and protect civilians and their property in the south.
