The facts date back to before the war. Lebanon announced this Sunday that it had contacted the UN, accusing Israel of having sprayed glyphosate, a powerful herbicide, at high levels at its border in February, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A letter was sent to the UN Security Council and its secretary general to complain about the incident, which occurred before the start of the war between Israel and pro-Iranian Hezbollah on March 2.
The ministry, which says it relies on a scientific report from the Lebanese CNRS, speaks of the use of “glyphosate at high concentration levels” in three Lebanese border villages which “far exceed” those usually found in fields in Lebanon with this herbicide, suspected of being carcinogenic.
Israel previously announced it would spread a “non-toxic” substance
In February, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said it had been informed by Israel of its intention to spread a “non-toxic chemical substance” near the border, recommending that it shelter the peacekeepers. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun then denounced this spraying as a “blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and an environmental and health crime”.
In its communication, Lebanese diplomacy also indicates that it has contacted the Security Council regarding the ongoing Israeli attacks against its country and in particular concerning “the targeting of a Lebanese army vehicle” at the beginning of June which killed two serving officers and a soldier. Highlighting continued direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon aimed at ending hostilities, she warned that “Israel’s targeting of members of the Lebanese army directly undermines these diplomatic efforts.”
