The remains of electrical transformers belonging to EDL, thrown by thieves and vandals into the irrigation canal that passes through the village of Ansarieh, Saida district, on May 10, 2026. (Credit: Photo Office du Litani)
BEIRUT — The Israeli offensive against Lebanon has not only resulted in victims and destruction, some are finding ways to benefit from it.
On Sunday, the National Litani Office denounced burglaries committed amid the forced evacuation of Lebanese regions under Israeli threat.
“During the evacuation of villages under Israeli threat, particularly the village of Ansarieh [Saida district] where installations from the Qasmieh-Ras al-Ain irrigation project pass through, Litani Office teams discovered a new violation of public property: the theft of electrical transformers belonging to Électricité du Liban [EDL] that supply power to the village,” said a statement from the office released by its director, Sami Alawieh.
The statement condemned these acts committed by “burglars and pirates taking advantage of the wartime situation.” It explained that the transformers were dismantled by thieves seeking metals to sell, and the remains were thrown into the irrigation canal, “in a criminal act encompassing burglary, vandalism, and pollution.”
The Litani Office emphasized that this irrigation water is used by farmers and that any pollution threatens food security. It called for an investigation to identify and apprehend the burglars and vandals and urged authorities “to ensure the protection of public installations.”
