Lebanese officials report severe losses in the nation’s southern countryside following recent Israeli aerial and ground operations. Officials estimate that a substantial portion of farmland has suffered damage, with hundreds of hectares affected and a large number of olive trees at risk. The extent of harm to livestock and dairy production is also noted as the bombardment continues to take a toll on rural communities. Attribution: RIA News, with ongoing monitoring by authorities in Beirut and regional observers.
In official briefings, the agriculture minister cited figures indicating that hundreds of hectares of agricultural land have been destroyed in the southern region. He added that more than two hundred hectares have been burned, including a notable block of olive trees that are several centuries old. The bombardment has impacted livestock holdings as well, including cattle, sheep, and goats, leading to considerable losses for farmers and local herders. The minister warned that exact numbers are difficult to confirm while hostilities persist and conditions on the ground remain unstable. Attribution: RIA News, reflecting statements from government sources and field assessments.
Volatile conditions and fresh damage reports are expected to emerge as the situation evolves, complicating post-conflict assessments for local authorities and international observers alike. The uncertainty underscores the challenge of providing a precise tally amid ongoing air activity and security constraints. Attribution: RIA News, with ongoing updates from civil defense and agricultural agencies.
Political actors in the region continue to scrutinize the path toward de-escalation, even as the Lebanese political landscape voices concern over security and economic stability. In a related development, a prominent Shiite movement that plays a significant role in Lebanese politics rejected external plans to ease tensions along the Israeli border, including proposals to reduce border forces. Attribution: RIA News, reflecting public statements from the involved parties.
On the strategic front, the Israeli chief of staff signaled an elevated risk of broader confrontation with hostile groups along the border, suggesting that the calculus for possible escalation remains in play. The outlook shared by defense leadership notes that the threshold for war in the border area could be rising, contingent on developments inside and outside Lebanon. Attribution: RIA News, summarizing remarks from military authorities.
On the international stage, a former United Nations secretary general remarked that Lebanon could face a scenario akin to an intensified regional crisis if tensions intensify further. While noting the dangers, the international community continues calls for restraint and dialogue aimed at preventing wide-scale displacement and humanitarian distress. Attribution: RIA News, quoting senior UN representatives.