View of wildfires following a Hezbollah missile attack from Lebanon near Korazim, northern Israel, October 9, 2024. (Photo: Michael Giladi/Flash90)
The Iranian-backed terrorist organization, Hezbollah, has launched attacks on Israel that have ravaged almost 5,000 acres (some 20,000 dunams) of forests in northern Israel, mostly from explosions, according to estimates by the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF).
KKL-JNF, a government organization committed to preserving Israel’s natural environment, believes the actual damage is even more extensive than initially perceived.
“The fires are continuing, the war continues, and we fear that the forests will continue to burn,” said Sheli Ben Yishai, the director of the KKL-JNF – North.
In July, Ben Yishai assessed that the forest fires resulting from Hezbollah attacks represented the worst natural disaster in Israel’s modern history.”
“This is the biggest natural disaster since the establishment of the State of Israel and something which will take years to repair,” she warned.
Israel’s northern Galilee region is known for its green nature and pastoral landscapes. Forested areas damaged by Hezbollah attacks and fire exchanges include Biriya Forest, the Naftali Mountains Forest (Ramim Ridge), Nabi Yusha Keren Naftali Forest, Bar’am Forest, Meron Forest, Rosh Hanikra Forest (Sulam Ridge), Kahal/Ammiad Forest, Katzrin Forest in the Golan Heights, Daliot Forest, Salukia Springs and the Hanita (Matzuba) Forest.
Israeli aerial defenses have neutralized most of the incoming Hezbollah rockets and missiles, however, has focused on intercepting incoming rockets that threaten populated areas, leaving natural environments throughout Israel more exposed to attacks.
Gilad Ostrovsky, KKL-JNF’s chief forester, has expressed concern about the extensive damage to Israel’s natural environment caused by the ongoing attacks originating from Lebanon.
“Even if we are successful in not letting the missiles get in, there is a massive explosion in the air. And then thousands of pieces spread all over and each piece can start a fire,” Ostrovsky said in an interview with the U.S. news outlet ABC. “It’s not just one place that it started. Now, because of the war and the rockets, it is starting all over, all over.”
“It’s very hard for us to say, ‘Okay, we can be prepared.’ The uncertainty is very high. That’s the problem,” he added. Experts estimate it could take over a decade of hard work to restore Israel’s damaged natural environments.
KKL-JNF’s team of 300 employees, along with 26 fire trucks, has been working in collaboration with Israel’s security forces, as well as fire and rescue services, to combat the widespread fires sparked by Hezbollah attacks.
In addition to forested areas, Hezbollah forces have caused significant damage to local wildlife, including Israel’s bird populations. For example, crane birds, which typically migrate from Europe to Africa via Israel’s Hula Valley, are reportedly avoiding northern Israel due to the ongoing Hezbollah attacks.
Furthermore, many animals are struggling to find sufficient food as a result of the attacks on northern Israel. Hezbollah rockets have also killed cattle and chicken farms in the north.
Hezbollah launched an unprovoked attack on Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, just one day after Hamas invaded and massacred 1,200 men, women and children. Since then, the terror group has fired some 10,000 rockets, missiles and drones into Israel, claiming it is acting in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from their homes in the north due to the ongoing Hezbollah attacks.
