Lebanon has lodged serious allegations against Israel, claiming that the Israeli military has been spraying a cancer-linked herbicide over farmlands in southern Lebanon. This act has been condemned by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun as an “environmental and health crime,” raising urgent concerns about the implications for food security and the livelihoods of local farmers. As tensions escalate, the Lebanese government pledges to pursue all necessary legal and diplomatic avenues to address what it sees as a direct violation of its sovereignty.
A Chemical Threat to Agriculture
The accusations emerged after reports surfaced of Israeli aircraft allegedly deploying glyphosate, a herbicide classified by the World Health Organization in 2015 as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” The incident reportedly took place on a Sunday morning, with videos circulating online showing light aircraft spraying agricultural areas extensively. In response, UN peacekeepers in the vicinity indicated they were instructed to remain sheltered during the operation, which the Israeli military described as involving a non-toxic substance.
However, laboratory tests conducted by Lebanese authorities found levels of glyphosate in the spray that were “20 to 30 times higher than normal usage.” Such concentrations pose significant threats to the region’s already fragile ecosystem, potentially leading to dire consequences for agricultural production and soil fertility.
The Broader Context of Ecocide
In a joint statement, Lebanon’s ministries of agriculture and environment emphasised the severe repercussions of the alleged spraying, describing it as a blatant act of aggression that not only jeopardises food security but also inflicts serious harm on natural resources. They warned of potential health risks to water, soil, and the entire food chain—concerns that are magnified given the recent ecological devastation in the region due to previous military actions.
The region is still recovering from a brutal military campaign by Israel against Hezbollah, which resulted in an estimated 4,000 deaths, 1.2 million displaced individuals, and extensive destruction of agricultural land. The use of incendiary munitions and white phosphorus had already left a legacy of damaged ecosystems, and the introduction of glyphosate represents yet another layer of environmental degradation, according to environmental experts.
Voices from the Ground
Hisham Younes, founder of the Lebanese environmental group Green Southerners, highlighted the cumulative and complex impacts of such military tactics on southern Lebanon’s already strained ecological landscape. He pointed out that the region’s agricultural areas are already suffering from previous bombardments, which makes them ill-equipped to handle further chemical assaults.
Younes remarked, “This spraying does not take place over an intact ecosystem or healthy soil capable of better absorbing or accommodating such impacts.” The implications for local farmers, particularly beekeepers, are dire, as the introduction of glyphosate compounds can further devastate insect populations and pollinator communities essential for agricultural productivity.
Historical Patterns of Environmental Warfare
The tactics employed by Israel are reminiscent of a colonial legacy in which land is systematically rendered uninhabitable. Younes argues that the ongoing environmental harm is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of destructive practices, aimed at undermining the viability of local agriculture and the livelihoods that depend on it.
He stated, “The very concept of ‘scorched’ or ‘dead’ land is rooted in a colonial tradition of warfare,” suggesting that such actions are designed to leave lasting scars on the landscape and the communities that inhabit it.
Why it Matters
The allegations against Israel are significant not just for Lebanon but for the broader discourse on environmental justice and the ramifications of warfare on natural ecosystems. The use of herbicides in military operations raises ethical questions about the long-term impacts on human health, agricultural viability, and ecological integrity. As Lebanon seeks to confront these actions, the case underscores the urgent need for international scrutiny and accountability in conflicts where environmental harm is a collateral consequence of warfare. The health of the planet—and the future of its inhabitants—hangs in the balance.
