Local officials in southern Lebanon say Israeli forces have burned more than 120 hectares of centuries-old olive groves and fruit orchards in the border town of Yaroun, despite ongoing US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel.
According to local reports, the fire burned for more than 36 hours, destroying farmland that had been cared for by local families for generations.
Yaroun municipality chairman Hafez Ghacham said residents could only watch the fire because Israeli troops prevented them and firefighters from reaching the affected areas.
"My heart broke at the sight. Together with several residents, we watched the fields burn until we were in tears,” Ghacham said. "Houses can be rebuilt, but the old olive trees will take decades to return to how they were before.”
He said the destroyed land could have produced thousands of cans of olive oil, adding that the damage has affected the community’s history, culture, and source of income.
"The flames made no distinction between the olive groves of Christians and those of Muslims,” Ghacham said, calling the destruction a loss for all of southern Lebanon.
The municipality said it will submit evidence of the damage to the United Nations, saying the destruction targeted homes, farmland, the environment, and cultural heritage.
The incident happened just before another round of US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel. Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem criticized the negotiations, saying they had brought only "disgrace, humiliation, disappointment, and successive concessions” for Lebanon.
A US-backed agreement signed on June 26 called for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese Army. However, Lebanese officials say Israeli military operations, including airstrikes, demolitions, and fires, have continued.
The Lebanese Army said the ongoing military activity has delayed its deployment and stopped many residents from returning to their villages.
According to Lebanese health authorities, Israeli attacks have killed at least 4,333 people and injured 12,236 others since early March. They also say Israeli forces have advanced more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory.
