Firefighters and residents in southern Lebanon have accused the Israeli military of deliberately igniting wildfires in forested and agricultural zones, raising alarms over environmental damage and threats to local livelihoods.
Reports indicate multiple fires have erupted across southern Lebanon in recent weeks. Eyewitnesses and civil defence officials attribute some of these blazes to Israeli drones, flares, and incendiary munitions.
Key Incidents
- Near Khiam, Israeli forces allegedly dropped flares into a forest, triggering a fire. Firefighters attempting to extinguish it were forced to retreat after a drone strike nearby.
- In Kfarchouba, a drone reportedly dropped a munition that sparked a forest fire, followed by a second fire two days later, also linked to drone activity.
Hussein Fakih, head of civil defence in Nabatieh, stated that 30 to 40 percent of land near the frontline has been affected by fires since the June 17 ceasefire largely ended hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Fakih also accused Israeli forces of using white phosphorus shells and illumination flares that ignite dry vegetation.
The ongoing fires are severely impacting Lebanon’s woodlands, wildlife habitats, and agricultural lands. In the border village of Yaroun, olive and fruit groves have been destroyed, compounding damage from previous conflict.
Israel has not responded to requests for comment. The military continues operations in southern Lebanon, citing concerns over Hezbollah using forested areas for cover and tunnels.
The escalating environmental destruction raises concerns about the long-term consequences for communities dependent on farming and forestry in the region.
