Lebanon’s Environment Minister, Nasser Yassin, declared on Sunday that Lebanon intends to file a formal complaint to the United Nations over the destruction caused by Israel’s alleged use of “phosphorus shells”. According to Yassin, 462 hectares of southern Lebanon’s agricultural and forested land have been set ablaze.
In a statement released on the platform “X” (formerly known as Twitter), Minister Yassin detailed that the Israeli enemy’s phosphorus munitions have scorched approximately 462 hectares of border towns in southern Lebanon. He described more than 100 fires ignited by these munitions, spreading over vast areas of environmentally significant woodlands and agricultural lands, including tens of thousands of olive trees, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Minister Yassin pointed out that Lebanon will present a “documented complaint” to the United Nations and the International Security Council against what he termed the “scorched earth policy” and the use of phosphorus by the Israeli enemy.
Lebanese Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan highlighted on Wednesday that an initial survey estimated at least 40,000 olive trees have been completely burnt due to Israeli aggression in the south of Lebanon.
For about a month, the Lebanese-Israeli border has experienced daily intermittent exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and the “Hezbollah” group, along with Palestinian factions in Lebanon, resulting in casualties on both sides of the border.
The Lebanese government’s accusations come amidst heightened tensions, with claims of environmental terrorism being levied at Israel for the use of incendiary weapons that have extensive destructive impacts on both nature and agriculture.
Lebanon’s move to approach international bodies marks a step towards seeking accountability and protection under international law for what they allege to be severe violations by Israel.
