Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator
Lebanese authorities have reported a chemical attack on February 1 carried out by Israeli aircraft over southern Lebanon, targeting forested and agricultural areas near the border. The attack caused environmental, health, and security concerns.
The laboratory analysis confirmed Israel had used glyphosate. The Netherlands, Belgium and France have banned its household use. Germany forbids the use of glyphosate in public spaces.
This development follows similar incidents reported in southern Syria, particularly in the Quneitra governorate, where Syrian authorities said Israeli aircraft sprayed chemical on three occasions last week.
On Nov 26, 2025, the Jerusalem Post reported that Qatar and Ireland had demanded that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) investigate Israel's use of chemical weapons in Gaza.
Glyphosate poses risks such as skin/eye irritation, nausea, and potential long-term health effects including cancer and neurotoxicity.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies glyphosate as a Group 2A "probable" human carcinogen, with associations to Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, with studies suggesting potential links to kidney disease, liver inflammation, and developmental/reproductive issues.
Lebanese Government Response
Lebanon’s Ministry of Environment confirmed it received reports from the border town of Aita al-Shaab and surrounding areas indicating that Israeli planes were conducting aerial spraying of chemicals.
Environment Minister Dr. Tamara El-Zein contacted Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, requested soil and vegetation samples from the affected areas for laboratory analysis.
Minister El-Zein stated that Israel had during the most recent war used white phosphorus and incendiary munitions that burned nearly 9,000 hectares of Lebanese land. She characterized these acts as “environmental destruction” aimed at undermining the resilience of southern communities and their ability to sustain livelihoods.
UNIFIL Raises Alarm
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said the Israeli army informed it early Sunday of planned aerial activity involving the release of what Israel described as a “non-toxic chemical substance” near the Blue Line. UNIFIL was instructed to remain indoors and away from the area, forcing the cancellation of more than 10 field operations.
UNIFIL reported that peacekeepers were unable to operate along nearly one-third of the Blue Line for over nine hours and only resumed activities later in the day. The mission confirmed it assisted the Lebanese Armed Forces in collecting samples for toxicity testing.
In a strongly worded statement, UNIFIL described the activity as “unacceptable” and a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, warning that it may have endangered the health of peacekeepers and civilians alike. The mission also expressed concern over the long-term impact of chemicals on agricultural land and the return of displaced civilians.
“This is not the first time Israeli forces have dropped chemical substances over Lebanese territory,” UNIFIL added, reiterating its call on Israel to halt all such activities and cooperate to maintain stability along the border.
Israeli Claims and Media Reports
Israeli channel i24NEWS reported that the Israeli Army’s Northern Command has been operating civilian crop-spraying aircraft for several weeks to eliminate vegetation near the security fence along the borders with Lebanon and Syria. The channel cited unnamed civilian and security sources claiming the substances used were “non-toxic herbicides” intended to prevent infiltration.
The Israeli military declined to comment on UNIFIL’s accusations or provide details about the substances involved.
Expert Warnings
Agricultural engineer Hanna Mikhail, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, warned that the spraying poses serious environmental and agricultural risks.
Mikhail recalled Israel’s past use of white phosphorus. He explained that white phosphorus can be dispersed aerially, is classified as an internationally banned substance since World War II, and causes severe harm to humans, soil, and groundwater.
White phosphorus is a Group-1 carcinogen, and degrades soil structure, contaminates groundwater, and renders agricultural land and water sources unfit for use.
Agricultural and Health Measures
Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture received four preliminary samples—including soil, weeds, and tree leaves—from sprayed areas, in coordination with the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL.
Meanwhile, authorities in Syria’s Quneitra governorate issued urgent warnings advising farmers and livestock owners to avoid sprayed areas and refrain from using agricultural products.
Broader Context and Ongoing Tensions
The attacks come amid continued Israeli violations of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, which ended a year of cross-border hostilities linked to the Gaza war. Despite the truce, Israel continues to conduct almost daily airstrikes and retains control of five Lebanese hilltops seized during the conflict.
Recent Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon have killed one civilian and injured several others, including children, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health.
Economic and Political Developments
Separately, the World Bank approved $350 million in new financing for Lebanon, including $200 million for social protection and $150 million to accelerate digital transformation of public services, as the country struggles to recover from its prolonged economic collapse.
Politically, President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed his commitment to holding parliamentary elections starting May 3, pledging neutrality and emphasizing efforts to prevent Lebanon from being dragged into another war.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam echoed these sentiments, stating that for the first time since 1969, the Lebanese state has full security control over the south through the army and will not allow new military adventures.
Lebanon is trying to maintain security and public safety, while Israel is supported by the US while violating the ceasefire agreement the US brokered. Hezbollah is expected to lay down their arms, while their supporter’s farms, businesses and homes are being sprayed with chemicals which will kill all the crops, and potentially could kill the people. The Lebanese people are eagerly awaiting parliamentary elections in order to have their voices heard over the drone of Israeli aircraft and the demands of American envoys.
Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist.