Conflict & Security
Lebanon: UNIFIL says it found 4 tonnes of explosives
UNIFIL said it found about four tonnes of mainly ammonium nitrate explosive material in Hula, a south Lebanon border village in an area where Israeli forces have been operating.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said peacekeepers found 385 abandoned containers inside a building during a routine route check on July 2. It said specialists later rendered the material inert at the site, making it safe and removing the risk.
A person with knowledge of the matter, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the containers had Hebrew writing on them and were likely used for demolitions.
Israeli forces invaded during the latest war with Hezbollah and have warned residents not to return to a strip of territory running about 10 kilometres inside Lebanon along the border. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency has reported Israeli detonations in Hula on four occasions this month.
Ammonium nitrate is used in fertilisers as well as explosives. A stockpile of the chemical exploded at Beirut's port on August 4, 2020, killing more than 220 people, injuring over 6,500 and damaging large areas of the capital.
Uncertainty notes
The origin, ownership and intended use of the containers have not been established.
The claim that the containers had Hebrew writing and were likely used for demolitions came from an anonymous person with knowledge of the matter.
Responsibility for placing or abandoning the containers was not established.
Source
AFP news report published on .