Residents, civil defense workers and environmental groups have accused Israeli forces of deliberately setting fires that are damaging forests, farmland and homes in southern Lebanon. Local officials said Israeli forces fired flares into woodland outside Khiam on Tuesday, after which a fire spread. Nabatieh civil defense chief Hussein Fakih said firefighters responding to blazes had come under drone attack and were forced to withdraw for safety.

Although a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel took effect on June 17, rescue workers and video footage indicate that fires have continued in southern Lebanon. Fakih estimated that about 30 to 40 percent of land near the border and combat zones had been affected, while noting he had no precise figures. He alleged the use of incendiary bombs, small drones dispersing flammable material, white phosphorus shells and illumination flares. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment.

Kfarchouba civil defense chief Samir Hardan said permission restrictions also limited firefighting operations. Environmental advocates warned of long-term damage to biodiversity and livelihoods. Yaroun Mayor Hafez Ghasem said satellite images bought by displaced residents showed 880 of the village's 900 homes had been bulldozed, and alleged that olive and fruit orchards were also set on fire.