South Lebanon residents accuse Israel of deliberate wildfires

Residents, NGOs, and Civil Defense officials in southern Lebanon are accusing the Israeli military of deliberately causing widespread wildfires through military strikes. Recent bombardments in areas such as Kfar Remmane near Nabatiyeh and the border village of Yaroun have triggered significant fires, as documented by the environmental NGO Green Southerners.

Local officials, including Yaroun Mayor Hafez Ghasham, claim the destruction of olive groves, fruit trees, and archaeological sites is a systematic attempt to render the region “unfit for life” and erase traces of previous habitation.

Hussein Fakih, head of the Nabatiyeh Civil Defense, stated that approximately 90% of these fires are caused by the military. He reported that emergency teams face significant obstacles, including delays in receiving necessary authorizations to operate in occupied areas and direct attacks or nearby bombardments intended to force firefighters to retreat from active fire zones.