Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a stark warning in their latest report, which accuses Israeli forces of occupying and vandalizing schools across Lebanon, activities that HRW deems as potential war crimes. The report, released on Wednesday, stems from a field investigation conducted between January and March 2025, where HRW teams examined seven schools and their surrounding villages.

The findings revealed significant damage and signs of occupation in five out of the seven schools inspected. Evidences such as Israeli food packages, Hebrew-labeled trash, and graffiti were documented, particularly absent in schools located in Aitaroun and Bani Hayyan. These latter schools, however, were not spared from damage either.

This situation unfolds against the backdrop of an ongoing and turbulent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, where both parties have faced accusations of violating international law. The conflict has severely disrupted civilian life, with substantial impacts on children’s education. Reports highlight that approximately 500 of Lebanon’s public schools are now serving as shelters for displaced populations, following increased violence that displaced over 1.2 million people, roughly a fifth of Lebanon's population.

UNICEF has flagged the drastic drop in school attendance in Lebanon, a situation only slightly mitigated by the 2024 ceasefire agreement. The educational disruption is profound, with long-term implications for Lebanon's youngest citizens.

In response to HRW’s allegations, a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that vandalism of civilian property sharply contradicts IDF’s ethical guidelines and assured that any deviations from standard military conduct would be thoroughly investigated.

Social media also plays a pivotal role in documenting these incidents. Images and reports shared online have shown Israeli soldiers using educational facilities for military purposes, including one instance where a school was converted into a makeshift military base. Another disturbing image showed school walls defaced with logos of the Golani battalion, an infantry unit of the IDF.

The United Nations Security Council has previously condemned attacks on schools and hospitals as grave violations against children in conflict zones, underscoring the international community’s stance on such actions.

As these developments unfold, the global community watches closely, waiting to see how Israel will address these serious allegations and what steps will be taken to safeguard civilian infrastructure and, more importantly, the future of Lebanon’s children.