Full Breakdown
Israeli Herbicide Spraying Operations in Southern Syria: Impact on Agriculture and Local Communities
2/19/2026, 2:39:48 AM
Overview of the Operations
In January 2026, Israeli agricultural planes were reported to have sprayed herbicides over farmland in the Quneitra governorate of southern Syria, particularly near the villages of Al-Razaniyeh and Kodna. These operations occurred along the Alpha line, which demarcates the border between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Local farmers reported significant damage to their crops, with some stating that their fields turned yellow and subsequently died following the spraying.
Impact on Local Agriculture
Farmers in the affected areas have expressed deep concern over the loss of their livelihoods. Abu Salah, a farmer from Al-Razaniyeh, reported losing 75 hectares of wheat due to the spraying, stating, “Ten days after the planes flew over, everything was yellow, and then everything died.” Similarly, Hassan, another farmer, noted that he lost 80 hectares of land, including olive trees, attributing the destruction to the herbicides used by Israeli forces. Local authorities estimate that approximately 400 hectares of grain and 4,000 hectares of pasture land have been affected, threatening the survival of local agriculture.
Official Responses and Findings
The Syrian Ministry of Agriculture conducted tests in Quneitra, which reportedly did not show acute levels of toxicity but did not specify the chemicals involved. However, Jamal Mohammad Ali, the director of agriculture in Quneitra, indicated that the herbicides included diuron and 2,4-DB, which are known to have detrimental effects on vegetation. Satellite imagery analysis corroborates the decline in vegetation health in the region, showing a marked decrease in vegetation cover since early 2025.
Criticism and Local Sentiments
Local residents have voiced strong opposition to the Israeli operations, perceiving them as part of a broader strategy to render the area uninhabitable. Abu Salah remarked, “The Israeli occupation forces want this area to become a zone without life.” The lack of effective governmental response from the Syrian authorities has left many farmers feeling abandoned and vulnerable.
Conflicting Reports and Broader Context
While the focus has been on the operations in southern Syria, similar incidents have been reported in the West Bank, where Israeli settlers allegedly sprayed chemicals on Palestinian farmland. Farmers in the Masafer Yatta region reported crop damage following such actions, further complicating the agricultural landscape in the region. The Israeli army has not publicly clarified the objectives behind the herbicide spraying, leading to speculation about its strategic implications in the context of ongoing tensions with Hezbollah and other groups.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ten days after the planes flew over, everything was yellow and then everything died.” — Abu Salah, Farmer
- “That’s why, on the maps, you see a big empty area.” — Hassan, Farmer
- “We live surrounded by settler outposts.” — Hussein Shanaran, Farmer
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing monitoring of the environmental and agricultural impacts of these operations, as local communities grapple with the consequences of the herbicide spraying.
