South Lebanon olive harvest hampered by Israeli restrictions and bombardment losses

Agriculture in south Lebanon faces a third consecutive lost season, with $530 million in production losses and Israeli conditions restricting access to olive groves.

• Lebanon's Agriculture Ministry confirmed more than 56,000 hectares of farmland were damaged, putting agricultural production losses at about $530 million.
• Qassim al-Qadiri, head of the Arqoub municipal union, said locals rejected Israeli-proposed arrangements allowing only 100 people and 25 cars into the fields for one day.
• Israeli patrols told farmers to stop harvesting without prior approval, while reports said two citizens were detained and olive trees were bulldozed.
• Farmers and municipalities are demanding Lebanese army and UNIFIL accompaniment to reach their groves and save the season.