Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have devastated farmland, infrastructure and entire villages, leaving long-term environmental and economic damage, according to Lebanese officials. Since renewed fighting erupted in March, vast agricultural areas have been scorched or contaminated, with more than one fifth of the country’s farmland affected. Officials warn that soil degradation, chemical residues and widespread destruction could prevent many displaced farmers from returning even after hostilities subside.

The agriculture ministry estimates that tens of thousands of hectares have been damaged, with nearly four out of five farmers in the south forced to stop working. Staple crops such as wheat, vegetables, legumes and tobacco have been destroyed, alongside olive groves, citrus orchards and greenhouses that form the backbone of local livelihoods. Livestock losses, damaged irrigation systems and destroyed bridges have further isolated farmers from their land and markets, deepening risks to national food security.

Lebanese authorities allege that the use of white phosphorus and heavy spraying of glyphosate along a newly established security buffer zone have caused lasting harm to soil, forests and biodiversity. Environmental officials describe the destruction as ecocide, warning of consequences for public health, water resources and long-term economic stability. National and international assessments estimate billions of dollars in physical and economic losses, with recovery expected to require extensive international support.

Beyond environmental damage, entire communities have been uprooted. Hundreds of thousands of housing units have been damaged or destroyed, and residents report looting and cultural losses in abandoned villages. For many displaced families, the devastation represents not only the loss of income but also the erasure of generations of agricultural heritage and connection to the land.