Key facts
- Firefighters and residents in southern Lebanon accuse the Israeli military of deliberately starting wildfires.
- Incendiary munitions, flares, and phosphorus shells are reportedly used to ignite blazes.
- Environmental groups view these fires as part of a pattern of attacks on Lebanon's natural environment.
- Significant areas of woodland, olive groves, and agricultural land have been burned.
- The fires are described as 'ecocide,' degrading the ecosystem and impacting biodiversity.
- Residents report the destruction of ancestral olive groves, impacting livelihoods and cultural heritage.
Firefighters and residents in southern Lebanon have accused the Israeli military of deliberately starting wildfires in the region. These blazes, occurring in forested areas, are reportedly sparked by Israeli bombing and the use of incendiary munitions, flares, and phosphorus shells.
According to Hussein Fakih, head of civil defence in the Nabatieh region, the Israeli military dropped flares in a wooded area near Khiam, igniting fires. When firefighters attempted to combat the flames, a drone strike forced them to withdraw. Fakih stated that most missions are now fire-related, with significant woodland areas affected, particularly near the frontline.
Videos and testimony from first responders suggest that since a ceasefire mostly ended fighting between Hezbollah and Israel nearly two months ago, incendiary bombs have been dropped daily. Fires have also been caused by munitions and drones in dry scrub and woodlands in areas like Kfarchouba and between Jezzine and the western Bekaa valley.
Environmental groups assert that these fires are part of a long-standing Israeli practice of targeting Lebanon’s natural environment. Hisham Younes, founder of Green Southerners, described the attacks as "ecocide," aiming to degrade the ecosystem and erode its ability to regenerate. He noted that these actions progressively undermine livelihoods and people's ability to remain on their land.
Since the conflict began on October 8, 2023, Israel has repeatedly targeted Lebanon’s woodlands, with the military previously stating that Hezbollah used these areas for cover. In the summer of 2024, Israeli troops reportedly used trebuchets to fling flaming debris over the border, and drones were allegedly used to douse forests with flammable materials.
Beyond the environmental impact, residents are mourning the loss of green spaces. In Yaroun, displaced residents found their olive and fruit groves, along with homes, set ablaze. The mayor, Hafez Ghasham, described the destruction of ancestral olive trees, which held sentimental value and were a source of income, stating the actions aim to make the land uninhabitable and erase history and culture.