Last year, Lebanon experienced a significant escalation in hostilities involving Israel and Hezbollah, culminating in a major conflict.
After the hostilities, HI assessed villages affected by the conflict in the Bekaa region between September 2024 and March 2025. The operation was carried out under the coordination of Lebanon Mine Action Centre and in close cooperation with both local and military authorities.
Building trust with local authorities
The job was to identify unexploded bombs, locate them with GPS coordinates, mark the place to warn people around, and provide the information to authorities for further disposal.
Before initiating any operations, HI teams established contact with the Lebanese Army and the relevant municipalities. This step was vital not only for obtaining permission but also for fostering trust and ensuring their own safety.
"Good communication with all the people on the ground was our priority," Acting Chief of Operations Adnan Araji, says. "We are working with them, not against them—we're helping them".
The municipalities, familiar with both the terrain and the local dynamics, directed the teams to areas most affected by the airstrikes. In some villages, the presence of non-state armed groups added layers of complexity.
A Cautious Approach
Teams were split into two groups, each consisting of four deminers and one team leader. Each group included at least one Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) expert and a non-technical surveyor. A local guide, often appointed by the municipality, would lead them to suspected hazardous sites.
Before entering any area, a safety protocol was strictly followed. Teams would stop no closer than 100 meters from the suspected site. The team leader or EOD expert would then proceed on foot, using spray paint to mark the route and placing signal markers—flashes—that could guide or warn others in case of an emergency.
"The approach is always cautious," the expert said. "We don’t touch rockets or missiles. We only collect data, document the scene, and mark the dangers."
Challenges on the Ground
The team faced dangerous and unpredictable conditions. In some places, buildings were so damaged or unstable that the rubble posed a serious collapse risk. In others, the smell of burning still lingered, even months after the ceasefire.
In some places, the danger wasn’t just from unexploded ordnance, but also from the emotional weight of the task: Locals, desperate to return to their homes, would beg the teams for help.
“It’s heartbreaking,” he recalled. “One man told me, ‘Please, I want a place for my children. I don’t have a home anymore.’ But we can’t clear anything like that.”
Rubble everywhere
It can be difficult to recognise an area and know where one house is or another. In areas where arms depots had been bombed, entire houses or clusters of buildings were destroyed, leaving behind not just structural debris but potentially explosive remnants.
In one case, a house confirmed to have been used as a Hezbollah weapons store was clearly marked and cordoned off to prevent civilian access.
Working Amidst Civilians
Despite the danger, full evacuation of areas during assessments was not always possible. Many residents remained close by, watching or even approaching the teams during operations. This created further risks for both civilians and clearance workers.
"We tell the municipality, if there's a weapons store, make sure people stay far away while we work," the expert emphasized. "But in practice, it's not always enforceable. We’re constantly balancing between doing our job and keeping everyone safe."
A Humanitarian Mission
Ultimately, the team’s work goes beyond explosives and rubble. It’s about restoring safety and dignity to communities affected by war.
Every assessment contributes to a larger picture that informs future clearance operations and eventually allows families to return home.
HI Intervention in the Bekaa region
From 1st September 2024 to 20th March 2025:
Survey:
- Tasks completed: 34
- Total area covered: 720,000 m²
Tasks on emergency call (residents or authorities can call HI for an emergency intervention):
Rubble Removal:
- Sites cleared: 137
- Total volume removed: 85,000 m³
