Only 24 hours following the October 7th attack, the terror group Hezbollah began targeting Israel’s northern communities with rockets fired from Lebanon. Nine months and thousands of rockets later, this “undeclared” war is having a deep impact on the region’s economy, environment, and its people. Since the almost daily barrage began, life in northern Israel is a dangerous and potentially deadly place.
Noa and Nir Baranes died in a rocket attack on July ninth, leaving behind three children. They’re among dozens of civilians and soldiers killed by Hezbollah. Now most communities along the Lebanese border stand nearly empty.
Another casualty is the land itself, due to wildfires created by the combination of rocket fire and dry summer conditions throughout northern Israel, the Galilee, and the Golan Heights.
The fires started by Hezbollah rockets have destroyed tens of thousands of acres and thousands of trees, some planted as far back as sixty years ago. These are the worst forest fires in the history of Israel.
Itamar Katz works with KKL-JNF leading forestry efforts on the Golan Heights.
“I’m kind of young and I’m new in the system. I’ve only been in the Forest Service for seven years,” Katz tells CBN News.
“But
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