NEW YORK — The United Nations said on Thursday that it was aware of reports that herbicide was sprayed by Israel over areas near the Blue Line in southern Lebanon, raising concerns over environmental damage and potential long-term impacts on civilian life.”We are aware of reports that the substance dropped over areas near the Blue Line on 1 February is an herbicide,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in response to questions regarding the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).Dujarric said “the use of herbicides raises questions about the effects on local agricultural lands and how this might impact the return of civilians to their homes and livelihoods in the long term.””We remind the parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and other possible legal frameworks,” he added.He also stressed that “any activity by the IDF (Israeli forces) north of the Blue Line is a violation of resolution 1701.””UNIFIL will continue to be in contact with the Lebanese authorities on this matter,” he said.On Monday, UNIFIL said the Israeli army informed it that it would conduct aerial activity to drop what Israel described as a “non-toxic chemical substance” over areas near the Blue Line.UNIFIL called the Israeli activity “unacceptable” and said it posed risks to the health of its personnel and civilians while raising concerns over potential effects on the environment.In December 2025, Lebanon’s Agriculture Ministry cited a report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on agricultural damage caused by Israeli attacks during 2023 and 2024. The report estimated direct damage to Lebanon’s agricultural sector at about $118 million, with broader economic losses exceeding $586 million. Southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley were identified as the hardest-hit regions. — Agencies
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