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UN peacekeepers find four tons of explosives in south Lebanon
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

UN peacekeepers find four tons of explosives in south Lebanon

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • UN peacekeepers discovered approximately four tons of ammonium nitrate explosives in a south Lebanon village this month.
  • The explosives were found in a building near Houla during a routine patrol and were later rendered inert by UNIFIL specialists.
  • The discovery comes amid ongoing Israeli demolitions and detonations in Lebanese border villages, recalling the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion.

UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon discovered around four tons of ammonium nitrate explosives this month in a border village near Houla. The discovery was made during a routine route check on July 2, when peacekeepers found 385 containers of explosive material abandoned in a building. UNIFIL specialists subsequently rendered the material inert, neutralizing the risk it posed.

peacekeepers found 385 containers abandoned inside a building, containing approximately 4,000 kilograms of explosive material, consisting mainly of ammonium nitrate compounds

— United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)Describing the discovery of the explosives.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the containers bore Hebrew writing and were likely intended for demolitions. Houla is located in a border area where Israeli forces have been operating. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency has reported multiple instances of Israeli detonations in Houla this month, with the municipality condemning these actions as "crimes."

later carried out on-site procedures to render the material inert, making it safe and removing the risk it posed

— United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)Detailing the actions taken by UNIFIL specialists.

The presence of ammonium nitrate, a substance used in both fertilizers and explosives, evokes grim memories in Lebanon. In August 2020, a massive explosion at the Beirut port involving improperly stored ammonium nitrate killed over 220 people, injured thousands, and devastated large parts of the capital. While violence has somewhat decreased following a recent memorandum on the regional conflict, tensions and incidents along the border persist.

likely used for demolitions

— Source with knowledge of the matterSuggesting the intended use of the discovered explosives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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