Lebanese Officials Accuse Israel of Sparking Southern Wildfires

Firefighters and residents in southern Lebanon report a systematic campaign by the Israeli military to spark wildfires in olive groves, agricultural land, and forested areas. Local officials and environmental groups allege that drones have been used to drop incendiary materials, white phosphorus shells, and illumination flares to ignite vegetation since a June 17 ceasefire.

In the village of Yaroun, olive groves and homes were set ablaze, while large fires broke out in Kfarchouba and between Jezzine and the western Bekaa valley. Near Khiam, a drone reportedly struck near firefighters attempting to extinguish a blaze, forcing their withdrawal. Hussein Fakih, head of civil defence in the Nabatieh region, estimates that 30% to 40% of land near the frontline has been affected by these fires.

Environmentalists have characterized the destruction of stone pine and oak woodlands as ecocide, arguing the pattern of destruction erodes the ability of ecosystems to function. The Israeli military has previously stated that Hezbollah uses these forested areas as cover for tunnels and fighters, though it has not commented on the recent wildfire reports.