The video has been verified by the news agency AFP.
The village is close to the border with Israel. Since last year, hundreds of houses in the village have been destroyed by Israeli forces, according to a local official.
The video was shared on social media on Monday. Similar incidents have been filmed in other border villages since Israeli ground forces entered southern Lebanon at the end of September – including in Mhaibib and Odaisseh.
Monday’s video shows, among other things, large explosions at an empty hospital in the village, according to mayor Abdul-Monhem Choukair.
– 70 percent of Mais al-Jabal has been destroyed. The Israeli enemy’s aim is systematic destruction, he says and states that four elderly people aged 85-90 are in the village and are waiting to be rescued.
Israel has said it is attacking Hezbollah infrastructure in an attempt to drive the Iran-backed militia away from the border. The goal should be for Israelis in northern Israel to be able to return to their homes.
In October, Israeli forces used dynamite to blow up buildings in at least seven border villages, according to Lebanon’s official news agency.
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**Interview with Abdul-Monhem Choukair, Mayor of Mais al-Jabal**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Mayor Choukair. Can you describe the current situation in Mais al-Jabal following the recent Israeli airstrikes?
**Mayor Choukair:** Thank you for having me. The situation here is dire. Our village has suffered extensive damage—70 percent of Mais al-Jabal is in ruins. We’ve witnessed large explosions, not just in civilian areas but even at an empty hospital. It’s distressing to see the systematic destruction aimed at our homes and infrastructure.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the Israeli forces claim to target Hezbollah infrastructure. What is your response to these claims, especially given the impact on civilians?
**Mayor Choukair:** While Israel asserts that their actions are directed against Hezbollah, the reality on the ground shows that civilians are bearing the brunt. There are still innocent lives here—like the four elderly individuals who are stuck in the village and waiting for rescue. This destruction does not discriminate; it affects everyone.
**Interviewer:** There have been reports of the Israeli forces using explosives on buildings in other border villages as well. How do you perceive the escalation of violence in the region?
**Mayor Choukair:** This ongoing escalation is alarming. It reflects a troubling pattern of targeting border communities, which creates a cycle of fear and instability. While authorities might argue it’s a military strategy, we, the people, are caught in the crossfire, suffering the consequences of geopolitical conflicts.
**Interviewer:** Considering the destruction and humanitarian crisis, what immediate action do you believe needs to be taken?
**Mayor Choukair:** We urgently need international support and intervention to address the humanitarian crisis and protect civilians. Escalating violence only leads to more suffering. I call on the global community to prioritize the welfare of innocent lives over political agendas.
**Interviewer:** how do you think the broader implications of the conflict will affect the local population in the long run?
**Mayor Choukair:** The long-term effects could be devastating. With homes destroyed, families displaced, and livelihoods shattered, we are at risk of creating a generation marked by trauma and despair. We need constructive dialogue, not destruction, to secure a peaceful future for our children.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mayor Choukair, for sharing your insights.
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**Debate Question for Readers:** Given the ongoing violence and destruction reported in southern Lebanon, do you believe military actions taken under the guise of targeting militant groups can ever be justified when they result in significant civilian casualties? Why or why not?
