The Israeli military has looted and destroyed three schools in southern Lebanon, according to the country's Education Minister Rima Karami. She stated that the schools were looted before being reduced to "piles of ashes" using explosives.

The schools have been added to a growing list of educational institutions destroyed during the conflict. Fighting in Lebanon escalated into a full-scale war in March after months of cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah following the start of the Gaza genocide in October 2023.

UNESCO reported in June that 17 schools had been destroyed in Lebanon and over 100 damaged. The latest demolitions bring the number of destroyed schools to at least 20. According to UNESCO, about 500,000 Lebanese children remain out of school due to the conflict, with prolonged interruptions threatening their development and well-being.

Karami condemned the destruction, saying it is happening "before the eyes of the entire world" despite international commitments to protect schools during armed conflict. She called on the international community to pressure Israel to halt attacks on educational institutions.

Lebanese authorities report that Israeli attacks since March have killed at least 4,324 people, injured 12,223, and displaced over one million, including 250 children. Lebanon and Israel signed a US-mediated framework agreement on June 26, providing for a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, linked to the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Source: www.aljazeera.com