Many villages in the Bekaa Valley were targeted by a series of Israeli airstrikes in 2024, leaving buildings destroyed and causing heavy contamination by unexploded ordnance. Since January 2025, HI is assessing this contamination, which makes the return of people to their villages extremely perilous, and disposes the dangerous items.
Air Bomb Surveys in the Beqaa Valley
The HI team of 8 experts (2 for the assessments and 6 for disposal) has already surveyed around 60–70% of the region, covering vast portions of the Bekka valley, and a total of 70 villages.
So far, thanks to these surveys, 29 explosive remnants of war were safely identified and handed over to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) that destroyed them.
“We found rockets, bombs, artillery projectiles, mortar shells, and drone missiles. We were able to check and verify over 80,000 m³ of rubble since January”, says Adnan. “In one alarming case in the village of Budai, residents themselves collected unexploded items and stored them together to prevent children from finding them — a highly dangerous act that could have resulted in tragedy.”
HI alerts residents about these dangerous behaviors by conducting risk-education sessions to villagers and consistently disseminating key messages: do not touch, do not approach, and call the competent authorities. In total, near 20,000 people were reached by HI awareness messages in 2025 in the Bekaa Valley and in Mount Lebanon where HI is also conducting traditional landmine clearance.
To confirm that areas are safe
The surveys often reveal destroyed buildings and large amounts of rubble, but relatively few explosive remnants.
“Sometimes villages report air bombs,” Adnan explains, “but when teams arrive, they find only rubble. But even so, these assessments are essential to clear up any doubt and confirm that areas are safe to return.”
Community collaboration is vital
During their intervention, HI assessment teams follow strict safety routine: When a potentially explosive item is identified, they maintain a 100-meter safety perimeter, send one trained specialist to identify the item, geo-localize and photograph the object, and then withdraw.
Civilians are evacuated before any approach
“Community collaboration plays a vital role in this process. Local mayors and residents help identify hazardous areas, although some villagers remain wary of engaging with NGOs. Economic hardship adds to the challenge — many families, unable to wait for official clearance, have begun rebuilding their homes amid potential contamination”, says Adnan
