The Israeli army bombes Khiam in southern Lebanon on March 23, 2024. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — Outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced his intention to declare southern Lebanon an “agricultural disaster zone,” on Thursday, in response to the devastating impact of nearly six months of Israeli strikes on the region.
Hezbollah opened the front on Oct. 8 in support of Hamas, its ally in Gaza. In Lebanon, 347 people have been killed in Israeli attacks. The majority of deaths have been among Hezbollah members, but the tally also includes around 50 civilians, according to our count.
Mikati described the scope of the damage during a Cabinet session at the Grand Serail and disclosed his discussions held earlier in the day in which he sought "immediate assistance" from UN representatives and ambassadors of countries that traditionally support Lebanon.
"The greatest disaster is in the agricultural sector, with 800 hectares completely damaged, 34,000 head of livestock killed and around 75 percent of local farmers having lost their last source of income," Mikati told Cabinet.
He told ministers that the South “should be declared an agricultural disaster zone,” the consequences of which will be felt “for years to come.”
In a recent interview with Egyptian daily al-Dustour, outgoing Minister of Agriculture Abbas Hajj Hassan (Amal movement) estimated the agricultural sector’s losses "several billion dollars," stressing the difficulty in reaching an accurate figure as strikes continue on a daily basis.
Agriculture plays a significant role in southern Lebanon’s economy, accounting for up to 80 percent of GDP in the region, according to a UNDP report published in December 2023.
Mikati also highlighted the crisis’ impact on education, with 75 schools closed due to the consistent aggressions.
Putting pressure on Israel
“I’m raising my voice to the international community to demand that the enemy [Israel] be deterred,” Mikati said. "Lebanon has friends in every country in the world, who are working to put pressure on Israel to put an end to its aggression.”
International mediators, including US special envoy Amos Hochstein, have attempted to negotiate a de-escalation between Lebanon and Israel. Hochstein has made several trips to the region, shuttling between Beirut and Tel Aviv, passing messages between officials in the two neighboring countries, and presenting proposals of a framework for peace. France has also presented its own roadmap toward easing tensions and UNIFIL recently offered its services as a mediator between the two sides.