The scale of the destruction to Lebanon’s infrastructure and resources is widening. Environmentalists and the Lebanese government are now warning the bombing is causing an environmental catastrophe. Officials say at least 10,000 tons of heavy fuel oil have been spilled into the Lebanese sea following Israel’s bombing of a power station earlier this month. Oil fires have swelled while large deposits are leaking into the Mediterranean. Lebanon’s Environmental Minister said the pollution affects up to 50 miles of coastal beaches in Southern and Northern Lebanon. Another 15,000 tons of oil are expected to leak into the sea. The government has begun operations to cleanup the spill but says a full effort is too dangerous because of Israel’s ongoing attacks. In addition to the environmental damage, the spill threatens to bring adverse health effects on local residents and add a further blow to Lebanon’s tourism sector.