BEIRUT, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Environment Minister Tamara ez-Zeyn stated that more than 7,000 hectares of forests and wooded areas have been burned in the south of the country since 2023, and that the damage caused by the war to the environment exceeded 512 million US dollars.
According to Lebanon's National News Agency, Zeyn, in his statement on Wednesday, described Israel's attacks as crimes against the environment and stated that the damage to the environment was included in the $11 billion damage caused by the war in general.
Zayn called for a comprehensive environmental rehabilitation plan, despite the financial constraints facing the government and the complex security situation at the site.
Despite the framework agreement recently signed between Israel and Lebanon to stop cross-border conflicts, Israel continues its military operations in southern Lebanon.