Key facts
- Kfarchouba residents live under strict Israeli military control, including curfews and movement restrictions.
- The Israeli military has threatened expulsion and destruction if armed elements are found in the village.
- Access to agricultural lands and olive groves is severely limited for Kfarchouba residents.
- Abductions and fatal shootings by Israeli troops have occurred in areas near Kfarchouba.
- Israeli forces have been setting fires in southern Lebanon, impacting agricultural land.
- The village faces shortages of essential supplies and damaged infrastructure, particularly electricity and water.
Kfarchouba, a village situated within Israel's occupied zone in southern Lebanon, is one of the few communities whose residents have been permitted to remain on their land. However, this precarious existence is characterized by isolation, strict curfews, and severe restrictions on movement, all under the constant threat of Israeli military action.
The mayor, Qassem al-Adiri, has relayed warnings from the Israeli defense ministry that any presence of armed elements in the village would result in an expulsion order and destruction, mirroring the fate of nearby communities. Despite assurances from local authorities that no armed individuals are present, residents endure pervasive insecurity, surveillance, and the risk of detention.
Access to vital agricultural lands, including olive groves and farmlands, has been significantly curtailed by occupying Israeli forces. The village, which relies heavily on agriculture, particularly olive and tobacco cultivation, faces shortages of basic necessities and damaged infrastructure, including electricity and water supplies. Residents must rely on costly generators for water and risk interception to obtain essential supplies from the Bekaa Valley.
The situation has been exacerbated by Israeli military activities, including abductions and the use of incendiary materials to start fires in forests and agricultural areas, rendering land unusable. A recent incident involved the abduction of a resident and the fatal shooting of a teenager by Israeli soldiers during a pre-dawn raid. The scale of destruction in neighboring villages has also disrupted essential trade routes.
Observers note that 'pilot zones' established by Israel in previously unoccupied areas appear to be facilitating the expansion of its occupation in southern Lebanon. The ongoing conflict and Israeli military actions have led to widespread displacement and destruction, impacting the livelihoods and daily lives of Kfarchouba's inhabitants, who describe their situation as living in a 'big prison'.