Iran calls Israel’s spraying toxic substances on Lebanese farms ‘a war crime’

The ministry’s spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, issued a statement on Monday after Lebanon said that Israel had sprayed a herbicide linked to cancer on southern farmland. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the action as “an environmental and health crime,” according to The Guardian.

Baqaei also described the Israeli measure as an unprecedented war crime, warning that it not only threatens the health of Lebanese citizens but also undermines their livelihoods.

“Undoubtedly, the use of weapons and toxic chemical substances by the Zionist regime against agricultural lands in Lebanon constitutes an unprecedented war crime, which, in addition to destroying the environment and harming the health of Lebanese citizens, targets the livelihoods and daily lives of the people,” he said.

He called on the United Nations and its relevant bodies to take immediate action to hold Israel accountable.

The spokesperson also referred to the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which took effect in late November 2024 under mediation by the United States and France. He criticized both countries for remaining silent amid thousands of Israeli truce violations, saying they are complicit in these actions.

“Both the United States, as the main supporter of the Israeli regime, and France, due to its inaction and continued appeasement over the blatant ceasefire violations, are considered accomplices of the occupying regime and must be held accountable for the consequences of its crimes,” Baqaei added./irna