Israel destroys forests in Syria's Quneitra, raising fears over economic impact

Israel has destroyed entire forests and considerable damage to the Syrian city of Quneitra and its surroundings, due to its frequent incursions into the Syrian city since the end of last year, according to reports

Israeli forces have used bulldozers to raze greenery and forests, impacting the area's environment and economy.

Among the destroyed woodland includes the Koudna Forest, known for its pine trees which produce two million tonnes of pine annually.

The Taranja Forest, home to rare perennial oak trees, has also seen trees uprooted.

Other forested areas are also home to valuable timber trees, vital for the local economy.

Ahmed Dheeb, the forestry director in Quneitra, told The New Arab’s sister site, Al Araby Al-Jadeed, that soldiers have also felled 30-year-old eucalyptus and Mediterranean cypress trees on both sides of the road leading from the city of Madinat al-Salam to Al-Hamidiyah, located on Syria’s southern coast.

The area, covering five kilometres on each side of the road is now completely razed, Dheeb added.

He said that Israeli forces have barred farmers from reaching their lands.

Ali Ibrahim, a local environmental official, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Israel’s deliberate deforestation of the area will cause suffering to residents and the local economy in southern Syria.

He said Israel’s actions will ultimately lead to higher poverty rates, migration to urban areas, and increased pressure on already limited sources, and that the estimated cost of damage to these Syrian forests may amount to a total of $103 million in damages.

Concerns over Quneitra’s water resources have also been raised after the Israeli army set up a military checkpoint around the dam – ultimately restricting access to it, Dheeb told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

The minister said local residents are concerned that water will diverted elsewhere for Israeli interests, or that Israeli forces might close the dam altogether. Such a move would have dire outcomes for the local agricultural industry, as rainfall this year has been scarce.

Quneitra is home to six indispensable dams, including Ghadir Al-Bustan, Al-Mantara, and Al-Ruwaihna, with a total water volume of 80 million cubic meters.

Al-Mantara is Quneitra’s most important dam due to its proximity to Mount Hermon's summit, capable of holding up to 40 million cubic metres.

The Israeli army invaded parts of southwest Syria in December 2024, in a move seen as exploitative after opposition rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime, leaving a power vacuum.

Israel declared the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria void, advancing beyond the UN-mandated buffer zone, adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Israel has also struck several military sites and weapons depots in multiple Syrian cities over the months, including Damascus, Latakia and Daraa, among others. Scores have been killed as a result.

Israel claims that such bases are linked to Iranian militias and Hezbollah, both former allies of  the Assad regime.

Israel’s invasion has been decried as a land grab and a violation of international law, drawing condemnation from the United Nations and much of the Arab world.

Israel’s military incursions in Quneitra, as well as Daraa, have led to the displacement of hundreds of people.