The Lebanese government has approved a draft law banning the sale of real estate in southern areas of the country controlled by the Israeli army. The decision is intended to prevent land plots from being transferred to persons connected with the occupation through intermediaries, fictitious buyers or front companies, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Protection of owners’ rights
The Cabinet approved the decision at the request of the Ministry of Finance. Finance Minister Yassine Jaber said the restriction is intended to protect property rights and prevent the indirect transfer of land to unidentified parties. According to him, the ban will apply to transactions that may be arranged through nominee individuals or legal entities.
Jaber called the move part of efforts to preserve land ownership in southern Lebanon, support local communities and protect coexistence. The draft law was approved amid extensive destruction in southern areas, where some residents remain displaced and cannot return to their towns and villages.
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Statements by lawmakers
MP Abdel Rahman al-Bizri said that protecting property rights should prevent destruction and population displacement from becoming permanent. He argues that the destruction of homes, infrastructure, agricultural land, schools, clinics and hospitals deprives communities of the conditions needed to return and rebuild their lives.
According to al-Bizri, the sales ban will extend to transactions involving Lebanese and foreign buyers and is intended to prevent such operations from being used for further property transfers. He also stressed the need to restore the presence of state services in southern areas.
MP Ayoub Hmayed of the Development and Liberation bloc called the decision a preventive measure to protect land and close possible loopholes that, according to him, Israel could exploit. He noted that the ban additionally protects plot owners even if their homes have been destroyed and they cannot return to their localities.
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