Reports: Israeli Strikes and Bulldozing Burn Forests and Farmland in South Lebanon

What happened

Naharnet Lebanon reports that Lebanese officials and residents allege Israeli military activity has systematically sparked fires that have consumed forests and farmland in south Lebanon, particularly within Israel's self-declared "security zone" near the border. The government's National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) estimates that 160 square kilometers of land, half of it agricultural, have burned since hostilities began in October 2023.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Individuals in villages such as Shaqra and Houla describe widespread damage to fields and orchards, with some land bulldozed. The local mayor in Kfarshouba reported an Israeli attack earlier this month that triggered a forest fire which residents were unable to fight before being granted delayed access to the site under a ceasefire mechanism. Lebanese civil defense officials attribute some fires to Israeli bombs, drones, phosphorus shells, and cluster munitions, though these claims await independent verification.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of a "scorched-earth policy" in the south, while Environment Minister Tamara Elzein condemned the destruction as "ecocide." CNRS director Chadi Abdallah said that while fire damage was previously limited to the border strip, recent fires have expanded. Satellite imagery from CNRS indicates a loss of vegetation consistent with the reported fires and bulldozing. Lebanese environmental groups confirm extensive damage to nature reserves and agricultural land.

Known from the source

• CNRS reports 160 square kilometers of land, half agricultural, burned since October 2023 hostilities began.
• Lebanese villages such as Shaqra, Houla, and Kfarshouba have suffered fires and bulldozing in southern border areas.
• Lebanese officials and the CNRS accuse Israel of causing these fires and land destruction.
• Israeli army states its operations include precautions to mitigate civilian and environmental harm.
• Local civil defense attributes some fires to Israeli munitions including bombs, drones, phosphorus shells, and cluster munitions.

What remains unclear

The Israeli army told AFP it is aware of potential environmental impacts but claimed its operations take precautions to limit harm to civilians and the environment. No independent source confirms Israeli responsibility for all fires or bulldozing. The exact boundaries and control within the so-called "security zone" remain unclear to residents, complicating access and fire prevention efforts. This situation underscores continuing risks to civilian property and natural resources despite a June ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of fire causes and specific attribution to Israeli military operations. Verification of extent and impact of bulldozing and deforestation through third-party satellite data or UNIFIL reports. Clarification and confirmation of the operational status and boundaries of Israel's 'security zone' within Lebanese territory.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Naharnet Lebanon. Open the source.