Fires in Northern Israel Intensify Calls to Address Hezbollah Conflict

Rocket attacks from Hezbollah have ignited extensive bushfires in northern Israel, leading to the destruction of large forest reserves and the hospitalization of 11 individuals due to smoke inhalation.

Half an hour from the Lebanon border, patches of burned land and plumes of smoke mark the affected areas. Residents in Israel’s northern communities have been combating these fires for weeks, with civil defense teams reporting 15-16 incidents. Recent high temperatures have exacerbated the situation.

On Monday, firefighters battled for 20 hours to extinguish fires near Kiryat Shmona. Forest administrators report that 3,500 acres of land have been consumed by the fires, prompting renewed calls for the Israeli government to address the escalating conflict with Hezbollah.

Israel’s war cabinet is set to meet on Tuesday evening to discuss the deteriorating security situation. Since October, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in almost daily cross-border fire, with recent weeks witnessing an escalation in attacks.

Residents of a local kibbutz link the rocket attacks to Israel’s actions in Gaza, noting an increase in attacks since the Israeli military’s ground operation in Rafah began. Tens of thousands of residents evacuated after the Hamas attacks are still unable to return home, with government deadlines to secure these areas repeatedly missed. Many believe a Gaza ceasefire is crucial to calming the northern conflict.

During a visit to Kiryat Shmona, Israel’s far-right security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for a war in response to Hezbollah’s rockets, declaring, “No peace in Lebanon while our land is being targeted.” Israel’s army chief of staff, Herzl Halevi, also in the region, stated that the country is nearing a decisive point, with the Israel Defence Force “prepared and ready to move to an offensive.”

Hezbollah’s deputy chief, Sheikh Naim Qassem, told Al-Jazeera that while the group does not seek to expand the conflict, any Israeli escalation would be met with “devastation.” The Israeli government, aware of Hezbollah’s capabilities compared to Hamas, has aimed to contain the northern conflict.

The fires have brought the issue to national prominence, putting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act. Meanwhile, Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar are involved in delicate negotiations over a potential ceasefire and hostage exchange in Gaza, with US President Joe Biden advocating for a resolution.