Lebanon has formally lodged a complaint with the United Nations concerning Israel’s alleged use of the herbicide glyphosate on Lebanese soil near the border earlier this year. According to a statement issued by Lebanon’s foreign ministry, the complaint was submitted this week to the UN Security Council and the UN secretary-general. The incident reportedly took place in February, approximately one month prior to the outbreak of the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2.

The ministry detailed that laboratory tests and chemical analyses performed on soil samples from southern Lebanese border villages such as Aita al-Shaab, Ras Naqura, and Dhayra confirmed the presence of glyphosate at concentrations significantly exceeding typical levels found in agricultural areas. These findings were based on a report by Lebanon’s National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), a body linked to the Lebanese government.

At the time of the spraying, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stated that Israel had informed the peacekeeping mission of its intention to apply a "non-toxic chemical substance" near the border and warned UN personnel to take protective measures. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the spraying, labeling it a "flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a crime against the environment and health."

Additionally, the ministry’s statement included complaints to the Security Council about ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon. Among these was a recent attack on a Lebanese army vehicle that resulted in the deaths of two on-duty officers and a soldier. Lebanon’s foreign ministry underscored that such incidents, including attacks on Lebanese military personnel, undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts between the two countries.

Direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon aimed at halting hostilities began in April in Washington, marking a significant diplomatic development between the neighboring states, which lack formal diplomatic ties. A further round of talks is scheduled for later this month. Prior to the negotiations, military delegations from both countries also held security discussions at the Pentagon last month, highlighting an ongoing, multifaceted approach to reducing tensions along their shared border.