UNIFIL: Israeli army drops chemical substance near blue line in violation of resolution 1701
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced on Monday that it had been informed by the Israeli army on Sunday morning that it would be conducting an aerial operation to drop what it described as a non-toxic chemical substance over areas near the Blue Line.
In a statement, UNIFIL said that the Israeli army instructed peacekeepers to remain at a distance and under cover, forcing them to cancel more than ten activities.
The statement added that peacekeepers were unable to conduct normal operations along approximately one-third of the Blue Line and were only able to resume their normal activities after more than nine hours. They assisted the Lebanese Armed Forces in collecting samples for testing to determine the level of toxicity.
UNIFIL emphasized that this activity is unacceptable and violates UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
UNIFIL noted that the Israeli military’s deliberate and planned actions not only restricted the ability of peacekeepers to carry out their mandated activities but also potentially endangered their health and the health of civilians.
UNIFIL stated that the Israeli military operation raised concerns about the effects of this unknown chemical substance on local agricultural lands and how this could impact the long-term return of civilians to their homes and livelihoods.
UNIFIL further noted that this is not the first time the Israeli military has dropped unknown chemical substances from its aircraft over Lebanon.
UNIFIL concluded its statement by saying, “We continue to remind the Israeli military that its overflights of Lebanon constitute a violation of Resolution 1701, and that any activity that endangers peacekeepers and civilians is a matter of grave concern. We call on the Israeli military once again to cease all such activities and to cooperate with peacekeepers to support the stability we are all working to achieve.”
The Israeli enemy continues its daily attacks on Lebanon by land, sea and air, with the United Nations peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) recording more than ten thousand Zionist violations since the ceasefire agreement was announced on November 27, 2024.