Key facts
- Israeli forces bombed and set fire to homes in southern Lebanese towns.
- Wildfires were sparked by Israeli bombing in forested areas.
- Firefighters and residents accuse the Israeli military of deliberately starting fires.
- A ceasefire and a US-sponsored framework agreement are in effect.
- Over 732,000 displaced people have returned to their homes.
Israeli forces have bombed and set fire to homes in southern Lebanese towns, including Majdal Zoun and Mansouri, according to reports from the National News Agency. These actions are occurring despite a ceasefire and a US-sponsored framework agreement aimed at facilitating an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.
Firefighters and residents have accused the Israeli military of deliberately starting wildfires in the region, using incendiary bombs, phosphorus shells, and illumination flares. These fires have burned significant areas of woodland, with some reporting 30-40% of land affected in areas close to the frontline. The head of civil defence in the Nabatieh region stated that most of their missions are now related to fires, and a drone strike forced firefighters to withdraw from one blaze.
Environmental groups describe these fires as part of a longstanding Israeli practice of targeting Lebanon’s natural environment, which they term ecocide. These actions threaten woodlands, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of civilians, potentially leading to wider effects on populations.
The Israeli military has previously stated that Hezbollah used these forested areas for cover. The conflict has led to over 732,000 displaced people returning home, though more than 430,000 remain displaced. The framework agreement, signed on June 26, 2026, provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal, with the Lebanese military taking control of designated pilot zones.