The war in Israel's south and north pose significant challenges to nature in Israel and those who safeguard it. The intense fighting, which has included rocket fire from terrorist organizations and ground operations by the IDF, has impacted open areas and natural areas.
Nature reserves, national parks and open areas within range of the war have been closed to visitors, with military and engineering forces operating in some locations. Despite the severe damage to nature, the budget for environmental restoration has been significantly reduced.
Dr. Yehoshua Shkedy, the chief scientist at the Nature and Parks Authority, acknowledged that the war has had an impact on nature.
"The recent war has created a challenging reality for the Nature and Parks Authority. We have had to deal with direct damage due to rocket and bomb strikes, as well as with IDF activity in open areas. Additionally, many of the Nature and Parks Authority's inspectors were called up to reserve duty, greatly reducing our operational capacity," he explained.
"Success in preserving open spaces and natural assets was achieved through close cooperation with the security establishment before the war, which facilitated coordination during the war and prevented unnecessary damage to the terrain," he said.
The war presents significant challenges to nature conservation, one of which is the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats. Intensive military activity, including the movement of heavy vehicles, may cause irreversible damage to open areas and nature reserves.
Consequently, there is a threat to populations of wildlife and plants. Many species, especially those already at risk of extinction, may find themselves without habitat and essential resources for survival. The Nature and Parks Authority is required to make increased efforts during and after the war to assess the damage, stabilize affected ecosystems and assist in the recovery of endangered species, aiming to prevent extinction and preserve Israel's unique biodiversity.
The Nature and Parks Authority says that it is prepared for further damage to Israeli nature as a result of the war. Another threat to nature is wildfires. The danger intensifies during wartime due to the use of materials that can lead to ignition and difficulties in firefighting in areas under fire. Fortunately, so far no major fires have broken out during the war. "We are preparing together with firefighting and rescue forces to minimize the risk of wildfires in the coming summer, especially since the amount of dry vegetation in the north will be high after a rainy winter," said Shkedy.
Additionally, authorities in the Gaza periphery are dealing with a new phenomenon: stray dogs that have entered from the Gaza Strip, posing a threat to local wildlife. With the destruction of the border fences during the fighting, many dogs entered Israeli territory. According to the Nature and Parks Authority, these dogs pose a significant threat to local wildlife, as they are predators and carriers of diseases, competing with Israeli wildlife species for resources.
Furthermore, environmental authorities are also dealing with the phenomenon of the poisoning of animals. Agricultural pesticides, toxic baits against rodents, and other hazardous substances can cause irreversible damage to entire ecosystems when they reach open areas. Many animals, including protected and endangered species, die as a result of direct poisoning or from consuming poisoned animals, according to the Nature and Parks Authority.