The worth of damages caused by Israel to the agricultural sector and other industries in southern Lebanon exceeds $3 billion, according to Lebanese Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan.
Hajj Hassan mentioned that the ministry is constantly updating a map to document both the direct and indirect impacts of Israeli attacks on villages and towns in the south.
He explained that assessing the harm to the soil in the south due to Israeli attacks will require in-depth studies post a ceasefire, and a committee is in place for this purpose.
“Once the Israeli attacks cease, we have a committee ready to analyze the soil,” he added.
The minister also emphasized the ministry’s commitment to planting ten trees for each tree destroyed by the ‘enemy,’ along with plans to enhance the fish sector with approximately $2 million in Norwegian funding and inviting Arab investments in Lebanese agricultural ventures.
On October 8, 2023, tensions heightened along the Lebanon-Israel border after Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group, launched rockets towards Israel in solidarity with Hamas’ recent attack on Israel. In response, Israel retaliated by firing artillery towards Southeastern Lebanon.