UN peacekeepers have temporarily halted patrols and other operations along sections of the ‘Blue Line’ in southern Lebanon. This decision was made following a notification from the Israeli military regarding the release of what they described as a non-toxic chemical substance near the border. The incident occurred on Sunday morning and resulted in more than a dozen UN peacekeeping activities being suspended for over nine hours.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) advised peacekeepers to avoid the area during this time. In collaboration with the Lebanese army, peacekeepers assisted in collecting samples of the substance for toxicology testing. However, by Monday afternoon, the results of those tests had not yet been received.
The Blue Line, which extends about 120 kilometers along Lebanon’s southern border, is recognized as a “line of withdrawal” that confirms Israel’s exit from southern Lebanon. The UN has expressed ongoing concerns about unauthorized flight activities across the Blue Line, emphasizing that such actions contravene Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and outlines the mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Tensions escalated recently, with a ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024, following violence near the Blue Line. Dujarric highlighted that any actions jeopardizing the safety of peacekeepers and civilians are of great concern, and urged all parties to adhere to their obligations under Resolution 1701.
UNIFIL also pointed out the potential risks the unidentified substance poses to civilians, agricultural lands, and the future resettlement of residents near the Blue Line. They noted that this is not an isolated instance, as there have been previous occurrences of the IDF dropping unknown chemical substances over Lebanon. The mission reiterated its call for the IDF to cease such activities and to cooperate with peacekeepers in the pursuit of stability in the region.
Fiji continues to contribute soldiers to peacekeeping missions in Sinai and Lebanon, demonstrating its commitment to international peace and security despite the reduced number of personnel involved in these operations.
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