Israel deliberately starting wildfires in southern Lebanon, firefighters say
Summary
Firefighters and residents in southern Lebanon say the Israeli military has been starting wildfires by dropping flares and using drones to drop incendiary materials. These fires have damaged large areas of woodland and farmland since a ceasefire in June 2023 mainly ended fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.Key Facts
- Firefighters say Israeli military actions have caused fires in about 30-40% of forested land near the Lebanon-Israel border.
- Israeli drones have been dropping incendiary devices that start fires in olive groves, woodlands, and agricultural land.
- Firefighters sometimes had to stop fighting fires because drones attacked near them.
- The Lebanese army coordinates firefighting efforts and communicates with an Israeli-led “deconfliction” group to allow firefighters to work safely.
- Environmental groups claim this is a repeated Israeli tactic to damage Lebanon’s natural environment.
- The fires harm important ecosystems that support trees like stone pine and oak and migratory birds.
- These environmental attacks are described as "ecocide," meaning they destroy ecosystems to disrupt people’s lives and control the land.
- Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel reignited in October 2023 and has included damage to south Lebanon's woodlands.
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