Israel Is Destroying the Machinery South Lebanon Needs to Rebuild

“They felt that just the presence of this heavy machinery that was typically used in reconstruction was a threat,” said Ramzi Kaiss, a Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher in Lebanon.

Reconstruction depends on more than replacing buildings that have been lost. Roadways need to be cleared, water networks must be restored, and there need to be factories that can supply construction materials and equipment. However, reports from HRW, aid workers, and UN peacekeepers have documented how Israeli attacks have been damaging those systems and how the fear of further strikes has obstructed their repair.

“We did see incidents in which construction equipment was unfortunately targeted, which made it difficult,” said Kandice Ardiel, a spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).