Couple discovers Lebanon home destroyed by Israel from satellite image

Joe Elias and his wife Diana have been unable to return to their residence in Qouzah, a Christian-majority village in southern Lebanon, since hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel escalated in early March. The couple reached out to BBC Verify after the news outlet highlighted Qouzah as one of several villages in the region where structures were demolished following an Israeli incursion. Independent satellite images acquired by both the family and BBC Verify confirmed their home was completely flattened, with multiple olive trees also damaged.

Conflict and civilian impact

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that five anti-tank missiles were fired from the Elias house’s coordinates on 6 March, resulting in injuries to four soldiers. However, the military did not present any supporting evidence or specifics when asked. It claimed to have targeted “several military positions,” including the Elias home, to halt further attacks on its troops. The renewed clashes began after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel as retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader.

“This is a disaster for everyone… not just my family, but all the families in the town,” Elias said.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 1.2 million Lebanese citizens have been displaced since 3 March. BBC Verify’s analysis of satellite data reveals the IDF destroyed nearly a third of Qouzah’s main residential area between March and April. Both Hezbollah and the IDF assert that buildings in the village have been used by opposing forces during the conflict.

Historical damage and current situation

Before the recent fighting, Elias’ home was already severely damaged during the 2023 war sparked by Hamas’ assault on Israel. The previous hostilities had shattered windows and cracked walls, which the couple repaired over months. Now, they reside east of Beirut, but neighbors in Qouzah fled after Hezbollah entered the village. “They left with nothing, no food, no support,” Elias recounted. “Those with cars escaped by vehicle, while others had to walk.”

Hezbollah’s position is that its fighters operate from villages, yet Elias argues that “the Israelis respond excessively.” “There’s no need to obliterate entire infrastructure—roads, water pipes, electricity,” he added. The village’s strategic location, 750 meters above the ocean on a mountain, allows a panoramic view of Haifa in Israel, according to Elias.

Visual evidence and military presence

BBC Verify has corroborated the presence of Israeli troops in the area. Intelligence firm MAIAR’s satellite analysis shows three armored vehicles positioned just 200 meters from Elias’ house on 16 April. The imagery also captures seven armored vehicles, four tanks, an excavator, and a bulldozer within the village. Videos shared by the IDF depict Hezbollah fighters entering a building in Qouzah’s center, while Hezbollah’s own Telegram channel displays footage of drone strikes on Israeli positions in the region.