On October 16, in the morning, Israeli army, during its ground invasion of Lebanon, detonates a village in southern Lebanon, claiming to target a tunnel built by the Hezbollah.

Location :

Even if the Israeli spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed the location was Nabatieh, the actual Location, is the village of Mhaybib, according to several Lebanese media outlets, Al Jazeera, and journalist Timour Azhari, head of Reuters' Baghdad bureau. Mhaybib is located between Mais el-Jabal and Blida, about two kilometers from the Blue Line in the Marjayoun district.

Seen from approx. 33.1587, 35.5173 Detonation starts at 33.15565, 35.50575

Details of the Explosion:

Israeli Army publish a drone footage of this devastation of an entire village showing multiple explosions engulfing Mhaybib in thick smoke. The Israeli army alleged it was destroying a tunnel network used by Hezbollah’s elite al-Radwan unit, stating the tunnel ran beneath civilian homes.

There is further footage showing IDF soldiers causing the massive explosion and exulting in what appears to be a war crime, gleefully filmed by Israel for the world to see.

PlanetScope imagery from @planet shows the village of Mhaibib in southern Lebanon before and after it was demolished by the IDF. Before imagery is September 24, after imagery is October 16. The surface of the destruction covers almost the entire village.

Related Events:

On Oct. 9 and 10, Hezbollah claimed attacks on Israeli forces advancing near Mais el-Jabal and Mhaybib. Israeli army has gained partial control of Mais el-Jabal and Blida, despite Hezbollah's retaliatory strikes.

Cultural cleansing :

Mhaybib houses a maqam dedicated to the biblical figure Benjamin, associated with the Old Testament.

Previous Israeli "evacuation order" :

On 6 October 2024, the Israeli army issues an evacuation order including this village.

The Israeli army’s Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) called for the evacuation of residents from around 20 villages in southern Lebanon, specifically in the Bint Jbeil and Marjeyoun districts. The evacuation precedes planned operations targeting "Hezbollah installations."

*"Hezbollah's activities force the IDF to act against it. The IDF does not want to harm you, and for your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone who is near Hezbollah members, installations and weapons is putting his life in danger. Any home Hezbollah uses it for its military needs and is expected to be targeted. You must immediately head north of the Awali River to save your lives. Evacuate your homes immediately.Be careful, you are not allowed to go south. Going south could put your life in danger."

False promises of return

The evacuation order also promised that resident would return home at the end of the military operations "We will let you know when it is safe to return home."*

The villages Affected:

List of Villages: Houla, Meis el-Jabal, Blida, Mhaybib, Chakra, Baraachit, Majdel Selm, Qabrikha, Kounine, Beit Yahoun, Jmeijmé, Tir, Bani Hayane, Tamriyé, Touline, Deir Seriane, Qoussayr, Bafliyé, Jabal el-Adas, Bayad, Sarbine, Bourj Rahal, Aïn Baal, Rachidiyé, Hanniyé.

The residents are instructed to immediately evacuate and move north of the Awali River, located north of Saida (Sidon).

Sources

Similar Incidents:

A similar video showed the detonation of a mosque in Yaroun, located in the Bint Jbeil district, suggesting widespread destruction by Israeli forces.

Additional Attack in Nabatieh:

Israeli army strikes targeted the municipal headquarters and Union of Municipalities in Nabatieh. Casualties: 16 people, including the mayor, were killed, and 52 were injured