In the turbulent landscape of war, where the focus often rests on human conflict and geopolitical struggles, a silent crisis is unfolding — ecocide. This term, pointing to the purposeful damage and destruction of ecosystems, encapsulates the devastating impact of armed conflicts on the environment, magnifying the consequences of war beyond human suffering. Addressing the alarming environmental degradation caused by Israeli occupation is paramount. It is not only an effect of active destruction but a tool of oppression — making the land practically uninhabitable for decades to come.
On October 7, 2023, the world woke up, both figuratively and literally, to the 75 years of atrocities committed by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian people and the region of the Levant, shifting people’s perception of apartheid and occupation. Seventy-five years and more than 120 days later, the occupation and its funding nations — ruthless as ever, thirsty for blood and money, and shielded by distorted religious beliefs, are waging wars over the same lands that once harbored them when they themselves were persecuted.
In the past weeks, we’ve observed how warfare not only inflicts human suffering but also leaves an indelible mark on the environment. The occupation has used explosives and chemical bombs, deliberately targeting vital infrastructure. Nevertheless, this destruction, employed in Gaza and South Lebanon at the time being, is not only limited to “wartime” instances, as the occupation has attacked the environment and its subsequent infrastructure not only in Palestine but in Syria and Lebanon long before October 7. The aftermath of these prolonged attacks on the Levant region has brought about a wide range of effects on its environment, catalyzing toxic pollutants, soil erosion, and the destruction of ecosystems and ultimately birthing a somber legacy for present and future generations.
Occupation and the environment
Occupying nations tend to have an overarching strategy which not only aims to disrupt and expel native people but also to expand their areas of domination, all while destroying the land’s connections to the indigenous people and their legacy. As such, Israel’s targeting of Palestine and Lebanon’s environments adheres to its agenda of suppressing and marginalizing the people’s cultures, heritage, and identities. These techniques of indigenous detachment from the lands intensify the risks of vulnerable mobile communities, such as seasonal workers and harvesters, and establish a cyclical relationship between conflict and environmental degradation. For example, the vast carbon emissions from military operations, the destruction of forests, and the disruption of natural carbon are ways in which the occupation cleanses the Palestinians from their lands and pushes the Lebanese away from theirs.
The destruction taking place in Palestine and Lebanon affects societies in various ways. Still, the turnout is the same, causing biodiversity loss, exacerbating climate change, triggering natural disasters, compromising access to clean water and food security, and undermining overall human well-being and socio-economic stability. The fallout transcends borders and impacts all communities living on the land, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental health and societal resilience on a local and regional scale.
These acts, oppressive and malicious in nature, stem from imperial sentiments whose intentions are the eradication of lineage and shared history: they seek to erase where we come from, our communities, the inherited indigenous land practices that have kept olive trees alive for thousands of years, the mobility and the ancient routes used for trading and the exchange of cultivated goods — all ingrained symbols of the region. They serve as a reminder that the seizure and expansion of lands, the looting of natural resources, and the annihilation of centuries worth of culture and preservation, are done by those who usually have very little to no attunement with the importance of protecting the only viable lifeline — الأرض / Al Ard — the land. As such, it is imperative to recognize how ecocide is not just collateral damage but a calculated tactic employed in warfare to exert control over lands and dominate populations.
Photo courtesy of Samer el Khoury from Instagram.
It is imperative to highlight that the destruction of the environment, or ecocide, has long and short-term damage on the whole region, regardless of borders. For example, any offense on the Jordan River in Palestine can immediately affect all countries of the Levant, as the river links Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon. Ecocide perpetuates a cycle of environmental degradation, aggravating existing social, economic, and political inequalities within and between nations. The exploitation of environmental vulnerabilities often serves as a tool for economic coercion or as a means to assert territorial claims. This type of exploitation leads to devastating consequences, some of which we are currently witnessing, such as forced displacement of indigenous populations, loss of traditional livelihoods, and irreversible damage to ecosystems that are crucial for survival. For instance, soil contamination due to incendiary bombs and other weapons is not only killing essential microorganisms but also disrupting food chains leading to long term health issues. This alone will require years of rehabilitation.
Environmental warfare in South Lebanon
Though not reflected in international news, the colonial state followed a similar war doctrine in Lebanon. In previous wars and more recently in the past five months, the South has faced violent shelling and incurred severe damages at the hands of the occupation, which is targeting a variety of community infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods, as well as vast green lands, including forests and agricultural areas. Widespread destruction has caused mass displacement, forcing not only families but also agricultural workers to flee their hometowns and leave behind their lands and livestock.
In one of its many attacks on Tair Harfa, Israel bombed crucial infrastructure, particularly solar farms connected to water pumps used by households for daily needs. Furthermore, agricultural lands in towns such as Kfarkella and Aitaroun have been bombed with white phosphorus, an incendiary weapon banned by international law. As a result, over 5,000,000 square meters of green land have been scorched, according to the most recent data collected on November 16, with 123,000 square meters of olive groves destroyed in the process. These attacks not only cause immediate damage but also pose long-term consequences for Lebanon’s environment, its economy, its agricultural sector, and the well-being of its people.
آثار الحرائق التي تسبب بها القصف الاسرائيلي بالقنابل الفسفورية والحارقة على المنطقة الحرجية بين #علما_الشعب و #الناقورة في قضاء صور والذي أتى على مساحات واسعة من اشجار السنديان والصنوبر والبطم والكثير منها معمر #لبنان #جنوب_لبنان #صور pic.twitter.com/0a2QSjgVod
— Green Southerners الجنوبيون الخضر (@GreenSoutherns) October 28, 2023
Scorched greenland in Alma al Shaab and Naqoura, South Lebanon, after Israel attacked the area with white phosphorus and incendiary bombs in October 2023. Picture by Green Southerners on X.
In examining the specific context of Lebanon, which has always been a ground for proxy wars and conflicts, the specter of environmental warfare takes on a profound significance. It reflects a historical struggle over the land and its intrinsic value. The region’s unique climate, abundant resources, and strategic coastal positioning have rendered it a coveted territory throughout centuries.
However, the scars of environmental degradation are not solely inflicted by external forces but are also exacerbated by local authorities and systemic corruption. The destruction of natural habitats, the contamination of water sources, and the neglect of sustainable land practices have become emblematic of a shortsighted approach that undermines Lebanon’s ecological resilience. By 2022, there were over 900 open dumps in the country, with the government barely providing any solutions to the garbage crisis in Lebanon. The exploitation of environmental resources and the disregard for the delicate balance of ecosystems within Lebanon is, in essence, an internal manifestation of the broader conflict over the region’s land, climate, and resources.
As we scrutinize the local dynamics, it becomes evident that the environmental warfare witnessed in Lebanon extends beyond the immediate impact on its communities. The systematic degradation of the environment is, in fact, a manifestation of a larger struggle to control the very essence of the region — its land and resources.
The internal strife contributes to a self-perpetuating cycle where ecological degradation weakens communities, making them more susceptible to external pressures. In confronting the ecological crisis within Lebanon, it is imperative to recognize the intertwined nature of environmental and cultural preservation, viewing them as inseparable components of the region’s collective heritage and, as such, realizing the tremendous crimes the occupation is inflicting on Lebanon’s long-standing environment. The ecological degradation that comes from the war on Lebanon has led to severe economic setbacks, reducing agricultural productivity and deteriorating the health sector by worsening air and water quality. Cultural and societal challenges emerge as a result of the war, straining relationships between communities and simultaneously worsening the impacts of the war on Lebanon’s environment and economy.
Destroying the environment in Palestine
From the besieged Gaza Strip to the occupied West Bank, environmental atrocities unfold alongside geopolitical struggles, intensifying the humanitarian crisis and eroding the cultural and ecological resilience of the affected populations. The occupation’s attacks on the environment in Palestine have taken on many forms, disturbing the balance of the ecosystem for decades.
The Kfar-Hanassi Bridge on the Jordan River in northern Palestine in 2006.
Photo released under the GNU Free Documentation License.
In Gaza, the consistent pattern of destruction is accompanied by the continuous release of hazardous chemicals on agricultural lands as well as the control of seed banks in Palestine, governing the Palestinian people’s health, food, and movement. Furthermore, water sources in Gaza are continually contaminated and obstructed, making water scarce and hazardous, thus perpetuating dependency and depriving communities of vital resources. The occupation diverts seawater into water pipes connected to urban areas, parching the people from freshwater, obliging them to use salted water, while simultaneously disrupting marine ecosystems and coastal habitats for short-term gains in control. As such, over 90 percent of water in the Gaza Strip is inadequate for drinking or agricultural use, putting citizens at a high risk of developing illnesses.
Elderly man fills water container at a public multi-faucet sink of Khan Yunis Water Authority’s wastewater treatment plant in Gaza. Taken on February 4, 2014 for B’Tselem.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
Moreover, settlers and soldiers consistently carry out environmental attacks of all kinds. They have poisoned, burned, and disfigured thousands of hectares of agricultural lands and olive groves intentionally, with nearly 2.5 million trees having been uprooted since 1967. In 2022, Israeli soldiers removed 2000 olive trees in the West Bank, dousing hundreds of others with pesticides, while in January of 2023 alone, settlers chopped 350 olive trees, vandalizing and harming 5000 more by mid-2023.
By doing so, the occupation is stripping families of memories and cultural heritage, fueling despair and powerlessness. Meanwhile, it is ruthlessly targeting livestock and wildlife, devastating local economies and disrupting livelihoods. This reinforces a cycle of oppression and environmental degradation that further undermines the resilience and well-being of the affected populations.
Harvest of olives in Palestine in 2014. Photo by Bdarin, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Ecocide knows no borders
The silent crisis of ecocide in times of war unveils a deeply extensive, troubling dimension of conflict, transcending mere geopolitical struggles. The focus on environmental devastation as a tool of oppression and a calculated tactic in warfare, particularly within the context of Lebanon, underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift in addressing the consequences of occupation-driven warfare. The intentional destruction of ecosystems, contamination of water sources, and neglect of sustainable land practices exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and erode the cultural and ecological resilience of the affected regions. As such, Lebanon, with its rich history, unique climate, and strategic positioning, exemplifies how environmental warfare is inflicted by external adversaries but also, often intensified by internal negligence and systemic issues.
The exploitation of the region’s resources by the occupation and the erasure of historical ties among Arab nations pose a profound threat to the interconnected fabric of the Middle East. Recognizing the inseparable link between environmental and cultural preservation, it becomes imperative to forge a collective commitment to safeguard not only human lives but also the delicate balance of ecosystems, which ensures a sustainable future for generations to come.
The true cost of war, besides the casualties, reveals itself through the lens of ecocide, which transcends borders. The environmental atrocities inflicted on Palestine and Lebanon not only affect the two countries’ environments but also that of the whole region. Addressing ecocide requires a holistic approach that encompasses not only environmental protection but also social justice, human rights, and international cooperation. Only through concerted efforts to address the root causes of ecocide can we hope to mitigate its catastrophic impacts and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all but in times of war, what we can think of is how much environmental damage can a society take in before complete demolition.
It is thus imperative to prioritize the protection of both Humanity and the Earth in times of conflict.
Nature will grow out of the dead.
Samer El Khoury
Samer is a versatile human with a diverse background spanning sustainable development, architecture, and regenerative agriculture, aligning work with personal passions. Dedicated to promoting sustainability across industries through research, consultancy, and community engagement, he serves as an environmental advisor, lecturer, and workshop facilitator while actively volunteering in environmental organizations to drive sustainable practices and community engagement.
