Lebanon accuses Israel of spraying toxic herbicide on villages

Lebanon has accused Israeli aircraft of spraying an agricultural herbicide over several villages in the country’s south, raising serious concerns about environmental damage, food security, and public health.

Lebanon’s agriculture and environment ministries said laboratory tests confirmed the substance was glyphosate, a widely used weed killer. Officials said concentrations found in some areas were between 20 and 30 times higher than levels typically considered acceptable, prompting warnings about potential risks to crops, soil, and nearby communities.

President Joseph Aoun condemned the incident, calling it a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and describing the spraying as an environmental and health crime. The Lebanese government said it is preparing a formal complaint to the United Nations Security Council.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by media outlets. The motive behind the reported spraying has not been officially confirmed.

Residents in multiple border villages reported seeing aircraft release the substance. The incident comes more than a year after a ceasefire ended fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Shia Islamist group Hezbollah. United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon said they had been informed by Israel earlier in the week about planned spraying near the border and were advised to take shelter, forcing them to cancel some operations.

Human rights and environmental groups warned that the spraying could worsen already severe challenges for communities trying to return home after the conflict. Many southern areas depend heavily on agriculture, including olive groves, tobacco fields, and other crops critical to local livelihoods.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Lebanon’s agricultural sector suffered more than $700 million in damage during the 2024 conflict, particularly in southern regions and the Bekaa Valley. Environmental advocates say further chemical exposure could undermine soil fertility, biodiversity, and long-term food production.

While glyphosate is widely used globally, health agencies disagree on its risks. The World Health Organization’s cancer research arm classifies it as probably carcinogenic, while other regulators say it is unlikely to pose significant cancer risks at standard exposure levels.

Key Takeaways

• Lebanon says Israeli aircraft sprayed glyphosate over southern villages.

• Tests found concentrations far above typical safety levels.

• Beirut plans to raise the issue at the UN Security Council.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgez359nd72o