Lebanese Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani has documented what he describes as systematic agricultural destruction by Israeli forces, with 50,000 olive trees destroyed and between 5,000 and 10,000 stolen during military operations in southern Lebanon.
"The Israelis have stolen thousands of olive trees from us. They want to destroy a symbol of our culture," Hani stated in an interview, detailing the devastation wrought on Lebanese agriculture since the conflict escalated in March 2026.
The Minister's assessment reveals agricultural damage comparable to a natural disaster: 22.5 percent of Lebanese cropland—approximately 54,000 hectares out of 250,000 total—has been rendered unusable. The economic toll from the 2024 war alone was estimated at $800 million in agricultural losses, a figure that continues to climb with ongoing operations.
The targeting of centuries-old olive trees carries particular cultural resonance in Lebanon, where olive cultivation represents both economic livelihood and civilizational continuity. "These are centuries-old olive trees that can be worth thousands of euros. And it's not just about money," Hani emphasized. "They are trying to destroy a symbol of our culture."
According to Israeli media reports and eyewitness accounts from southern Lebanese villages, mature olive trees have been uprooted by Israeli forces and transported across the border for resale in Israel. The practice has drawn comparisons to similar incidents during previous Israeli operations in the West Bank, where olive tree destruction has been documented for decades.
The agricultural catastrophe extends beyond symbolic damage. The southern region accounted for 70 percent of Lebanon's citrus production and 90 percent of banana cultivation before the war. Tobacco farming, which sustained approximately 16,000 families in the south, has been decimated, with an estimated 85 percent or more of growers displaced from their land.
Ramzi Samha, who operates a juice stand in the southern city of , described the immediate economic impact:
