Lebanon has accused Israel of committing ecocide during its military operations from October 2023 to December 2024, as detailed in a report by the country's National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS-L). The report highlights extensive environmental damage in southern Lebanon, including the destruction of 5,000 hectares of forest cover and agricultural losses estimated at $704 million. Environment Minister Tamara El Zein emphasized that the damage affects public health, food security, and national resilience, calling for international assistance. Ecocide, a term coined in 1970, refers to severe environmental destruction caused by human activity but is not recognized as an international crime. Existing laws address environmental harm during conflicts but focus on human impact rather than treating the environment as a victim. Recent efforts, including the 2025 recognition of ecocide by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, aim to address legal gaps in prosecuting environmental destruction.