Israel drops unidentified chemicals near “Blue Line”

United Nations

Sphinx News: Ahmed Ali

Reported yesterday, Spokesman for the Secretary-General says Israeli authorities released a self described “non-toxic chemical substance” over areas near the demarcated “Blue Line”, raising awareness of the developments potential illicitness and dangers posed to UNIFIL forces.

The “Blue line” is a demarcation line separating South Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights. Following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1978, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolutions 425 and 426. The adopted resolutions not only called for Israeli withdrawal from Southern Lebanon (ensuring the Lebanese government reestablished effective authority in the area near the border), but it gave mandate to set up the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The peacekeeping force was established bilaterally between both the United Nations Security Council and NATO, acting as a monitor in Southern Lebanon between the IDF, Lebanese Armed Forces, and most recently, Hezbollah militants. Following UNIFIL’s original establishment in 1978, and subsequent mandate given by Resolution 1701 after the 2006 Israeli Lebanon War, UNIFIL operations have been violated over 10,000 times. The transgressions consist of more than 8,100 air violations, over 2,600 ground-level activities north of the Blue Line, and 1,000+ cross-border firing trajectories. These infractions include incursions, drone activity, and occupation of positions inside Lebanon.

While previous Israeli breaches have been well documented and held by contempt from the Secretary General and other UN officials, recent Israeli activities bring particular concern. Aforementioned, the non clarified alleged to be “non toxic substance” has not only been dropped over areas north of the blue line, but has been met with exceeding alarm by UN officials. According to Dujarric, the IDF had informed peacekeepers to “stay clear of the area, forcing the suspension of more than a dozen activities.” While patrol a long the blue line was allowed to resume “only after more than nine hours”, the contents of the chemical have not yet been specified. After the incident had occurred yesterday, Dujarric noted today “UNIFIL supported the Lebanese Army in collecting samples of what was dropped, testing it for toxicity.” Awaiting the results of the testing, Dujarric expressed vivid apprehension, where he said “No, we don’t know the stated purpose of the chemical.”

Nonetheless, today Dujarric said UNIFIL peacekeepers observed “two Israeli drones hovering above them near Kafr Kela in Sector East. One drone carrying an unidentified object entered a range assessed as an immediate threat.” Dujarric added “Peacekeepers took defensive action, after which the drone dropped a stun grenade about 50 metres away before flying south toward Israeli territory. No injuries were reported, and the patrol continued.” Such activity raised further condemnation, where the United Nations maintains its position for “all parties to respect the Blue Line, ensure the safety of peacekeepers and avoid actions that endanger them.”