Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator
On February 1, Israel attacked Lebanon with chemical weapons. The Agriculture and Environment Ministries announced the toxic chemical was very high concentration of glyphosate.
“The concentration in some samples ranges between twenty and thirty times the normally accepted levels,” they specified in a statement.
President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack by Israeli planes, calling it “a flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty, as well as an environmental and health crime against the Lebanese people and their land.”
Videos of the planes delivering the chemical attack appeared on TV and social media, while residents witnessed the attacks and alerted authorities. Areas hit were Aita al-Shaab, Ramieh and Marwanieh, also known as Bint Jbeil.
Environment Minister Tamara Elzein requested that the Lebanese Army collect samples for analysis, and described this spraying as “a flagrant violation of national sovereignty, under the eyes of the international community,” and as an “extremely dangerous hostile act that threatens food security, exposes natural resources to serious damage, and harms the livelihoods of farmers.”
The Lebanese government sent a complaint to the UN, and human rights groups and various NGOs associated with health and environmental issues have condemned the chemical attack.
One resident asked, “When the Assad regime used chemicals on people in Douma, Trump responded with a military strike. Will Trump strike Israel?”
The US holds all countries to account, except in the case of Israel, which violates all international laws and norms with complete impunity.
On Nov 26, 2025, the Jerusalem Post reported that Qatar and Ireland had demanded that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) investigate Israel’s use of chemical weapons in Gaza.
Glyphosate poses risks such as skin/eye irritation, nausea, and potential long-term health effects including cancer and neurotoxicity.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies glyphosate as a Group 2A “probable” human carcinogen, with associations to Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, with studies suggesting potential links to kidney disease, liver inflammation, and developmental/reproductive issues.
Journalist Steven Sahiounie interviewed Zeina Arzouni, journalist, political analyst, and program producer for her view on what is happening in Lebanon.
#1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): Reports on the ground, and videos on TV and social media show the Israeli aircraft spraying chemical weapons on the south of Lebanon. Similar reports are from Syria as well. Is this a “Scorched Earth” policy coming from the Israeli Netanyahu government?
Zeina Arzouni (ZA): A particularly alarming recent development is the spraying of toxic chemicals on crops and olive trees in frontline villages. Israel justifies this by stating the goal is to eliminate dense vegetation that could provide cover for militants near the border. This “scorched earth” tactic effectively destroys the livelihoods of local farmers.
The Lebanese government’s lack of a serious official response is attributed to a desire not to offend the United States. Furthermore, there is a deep internal divide regarding the concept of sovereignty and the role of the “Resistance.” Some political factions believe Hezbollah’s arsenal is no longer useful and are willing to leave the party’s “back exposed” to facilitate a future peace treaty after the forced disarmament by Israel.
#2. What is the current status of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire?
ZA: The current situation in Lebanon is characterized by what many describe as an “open war” rather than a functioning ceasefire. While Hezbollah has largely adhered to the cessation of hostilities, Israel continues its daily operations, targeting civilians under the pretext of striking Hezbollah operatives and destroying infrastructure—including civilian machinery—claiming it serves the party’s engineering wing.
#3. SS: What role does the US play in Lebanon?
ZA: The international community operates with harsh pragmatism. With Lebanon institutionally weak and Israel enjoying unconditional American military and political backing, international law becomes secondary.
We have to examine the US and Israeli objectives. To halt these attacks, Washington and Tel Aviv seek the total disarmament of Hezbollah and its complete removal from the border regions. Their ultimate goal is to ensure Israel can strike at will without retaliation, eventually forcing a peace agreement that guarantees no fire will ever originate from Southern Lebanon again.
#4. SS: When will the Lebanese Parliamentary elections take place?
ZA: While the “Three Presidents” (the President, Speaker, and Prime Minister) and various party leaders publicly insist that elections will proceed on schedule—and the Ministry of Interior is completing logistical preparations—the political reality is far more complex.
Despite the official rhetoric, many political forces are reluctant to hold the elections now, each for their own reasons, such as: security concerns. It is nearly impossible for Hezbollah’s constituency in frontline villages to participate effectively while under constant daily bombardment.
Some anti-Hezbollah factions are pushing for the elections, betting that the current climate will weaken the Shiite duo and reduce their parliamentary bloc. However, most analysts believe that under the current data, any result would carry no significant change and would not alter the political balance in a meaningful way.
There is a growing belief that the elections may be postponed for at least several months or even a full year. The prevailing thought is that the “necessary conditions” are not yet met, specifically the resolution regarding the consolidation of weapons in the hands of the Lebanese Army. For the Lebanese political class, finding legal justifications for an extension (Technical Extension) is traditionally one of the easiest tasks to perform.
Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist.
