Satellite images taken by Airbus and Google Earth have once again revealed the scale of destruction caused by Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. The high-resolution images from July 20 document widespread devastation in the towns of Zutar al-Sharqiya and Zutar al-Gharbiya, located in the Nabatieh governorate.
The images clearly show neighborhoods where buildings have been completely erased, large rubble fields, churned-up ground, and damaged roads. A stretch of destruction running continuously along the administrative boundary has effectively turned the interwoven urban fabric of the two towns into a single wasteland.
Strategic location made them targets
The strategic location of the Zutar towns played a role in the heavy destruction they suffered. Located at the northern edge of what Israel calls the 'yellow line', adjacent to the southern banks of the Litani River, the towns sit at a critical crossroads between the zone where Israeli forces are deployed and the areas stretching northwards to Nabatieh.
Heavy destruction in Zutar al-Gharbiya
One of the most severely affected areas is the center and eastern parts of Zutar al-Gharbiya. A comparison of satellite images between December 2025 and July 20, 2026 shows that densely built-up areas have turned into interconnected massive piles of rubble. Buildings have thinned out in the southern and southeastern neighborhoods, while the roads along the border with Zutar al-Sharqiya have suffered heavy damage.
Wider area affected in Zutar al-Sharqiya
In Zutar al-Sharqiya, the devastation is spread over a wider geographical area. Particularly in the center, south, and southwest, urban density has largely disappeared and new military tracks have formed among the rubble. The western strip connecting to Zutar al-Gharbiya stands out as the most heavily damaged zone.
A Lebanese photographer, in videos posted on July 28, claimed that Israeli military vehicles and soldiers were moving inside Zutar al-Sharqiya. Another video shared on social media the same day showed thick smoke rising from the town and claimed it was linked to an Israeli detonation.
Lebanese army only able to enter one town
The Lebanese army began deploying to Zutar al-Gharbiya on the morning of July 21 in coordination with its military coordination group. The army later confirmed in a statement that it had entered Zutar al-Gharbiya but had not yet deployed to Zutar al-Sharqiya. The statement said that Israeli forces approached the perimeter of the western town and opened fire near Lebanese soldiers, endangering the unit's safety and obstructing the mission.
Lebanese Army Commander Rodolf Heykel inspected troops in the town on July 23 and called for necessary measures to ensure the safe return of residents. The next day, a limited number of Zutar al-Gharbiya residents entered the town in small groups under army escort to check on their homes and properties. However, the army announced on July 26 that Israeli fire near deployment points continued to disrupt operations.
Destruction not limited to buildings
The satellite images reveal that not only buildings but also large swaths of surrounding farmland have been extensively damaged. Clearing rubble, repairing roads, and the presence of unexploded ordnance make the return far more complicated. Experts stress that making these two towns habitable again will require engineering surveys, debris removal operations, and the restoration of water, electricity, and communication infrastructure.
An assessment published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in June 2026 found that across southern Lebanon, 11,095 buildings were completely destroyed, 2,242 partially damaged, and 9,311 suffered light damage. The assessment noted that it did not cover damage to roads, bridges, electricity, water, and communication networks.
While the army presence and engineering work have begun in Zutar al-Gharbiya, the fact that neighboring Zutar al-Sharqiya remains outside the map for control and return leaves the two towns sharing a common urban and humanitarian fate.
