Israeli military operations in Lebanon have resulted in the destruction or damage of more than 50,000 residential units, according to data released Wednesday by the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS). Reports from Beirut via AFP confirm that in a 45-day period, 17,756 homes were completely destroyed, while another 32,668 sustained significant damage. Shadi Abdallah, the head of CNRS, confirmed these figures as part of a formal government assessment of the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah.
The humanitarian toll of the escalation, which intensified following Hezbollah`s deeper involvement on March 2, has been severe. More than 2,400 people have lost their lives, and the number of displaced civilians has surpassed one million. According to Abdallah, even during the initial three days of the most recent ceasefire attempt, Israeli strikes destroyed an additional 428 homes. Lebanese officials are expected to meet with Israeli representatives this Thursday to formally request an extension of the current ceasefire to prevent further civilian infrastructure loss.
Providing a broader context, Lebanese Environment Minister Tamara Zein highlighted the cumulative impact of hostilities since 2023. At a recent press conference, Zein stated that the total number of damaged or destroyed residential properties between 2023 and 2025 has reached approximately 220,000. The damage is not confined to housing alone; Israeli strikes have reportedly hit civilian infrastructure, places of worship, and vast stretches of agricultural and forested land. This widespread destruction reflects a crisis that has left large portions of the Lebanese population without shelter as the nation seeks international diplomatic intervention.
