The forest fires were caused by Israeli bombings in southern Lebanon, according to local authorities.
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip more than eight months ago, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has frequently exchanged fire with the Israeli army to side with Hamas. In recent weeks, hostilities have intensified and exchanges of fire have sparked huge fires on both sides of the border.
“Israeli artillery bombarded the surroundings of Alma al-Saab with phosphorus, causing fires in forest areas, which spread close to houses,” said the National Intelligence Service (Ani), adding that the flames “also reached huge olive groves”.
Lebanese authorities and international NGOs accuse Israel of using white phosphorus ammunition, a substance that ignites when it comes into contact with oxygen and can be used as an incendiary weapon.
“Israel is deliberately bombing forest areas with phosphorus to cause fires,” Ali Abbas, a rescuer from the Al Risalah group, associated with the Amal movement, an ally of Hezbollah, told AFP. According to him, rescue teams have difficulty putting out the fires, as the Lebanese army does not send helicopters, fearing they could be targeted by Israel.
Hezbollah: Falaq 2 launches rockets against Israel for the first time
Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah said it fired a series of Falaq 2 rockets at a military command center in northern Israel.
A security source told Reuters it was the first time the Lebanese group had used this type of rocket, after launching Falaq 1 on dozens of previous occasions.