Southern Lebanon firefighters accuse Israeli forces of sparking wildfires

Firefighters and residents in southern Lebanon have accused Israeli forces of repeatedly starting wildfires in forests and farmland, including a blaze near Khiam on August 11 that they said began after military flares were dropped in a wooded area.

Hussein Fakih, who heads civil defence in the Nabatieh region, told The Guardian that a drone strike landed near firefighters as they tried to control the Khiam blaze, forcing them to withdraw. He estimated that fires had affected roughly 30% to 40% of land in areas close to the front line, while noting that he did not have a precise total.

First responders described other recent fires near Kfarchouba and between Jezzine and the western Bekaa Valley. Samir Hardan, a local civil defence station chief, said a drone-dropped munition started a woodland fire near Kfarchouba on August 7 and that another drone ignited a second fire on August 9 after crews had extinguished the first.

The allegations have not been independently verified. The Guardian said the Israeli military did not respond to its questions about the reported incidents. Israel has previously said Hezbollah used forested areas for fighters and tunnels.

Environmental groups warned that the damage extends beyond immediate fire risk. Hisham Younes of Green Southerners said the affected pine and oak woodland supports biodiversity and migratory birds, while residents said burned olive and fruit groves were both inherited family assets and important sources of income.

The reported fires have occurred during the nearly two months since a June 17 ceasefire largely halted fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The latest claims add to concern over civilian livelihoods and environmental damage in communities along Lebanon's southern border.