Lebanon has accused Israeli aircraft of spraying a strong herbicide over its southern villages. The agriculture and environment ministries confirmed the chemical was glyphosate. Some samples showed concentrations "between 20 and 30 times the levels usually accepted." President Joseph Aoun called it a "violation of Lebanese sovereignty and an environmental and health crime." The Israel Defense Forces gave no comment. Residents in border villages reported the spraying, which came after a ceasefire with Hezbollah. Earlier, UN peacekeepers said Israel warned them of planned spraying near the border, causing some operations to be canceled. Human Rights Watch researcher Ramzi Kaiss said, "These areas are heavily dependent on agriculture - olive groves, tobacco, and other crops - and this incident complicates people's ability to return to their homes, maintain their livelihoods, and rebuild after extensive destruction." Experts warn this harms ecosystems and Lebanon's farming economy. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported that the 2024 conflict caused over $700 million in agricultural losses. Environmental groups like Green Southerners say the spraying "threaten ecosystems already damaged by white phosphorus," affecting insects and pollinators crucial for food security. The World Health Organization labels glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans," but some agencies, like the US EPA and European Food Safety Authority, consider it unlikely to be carcinogenic. Lebanon's foreign ministry plans to file a formal complaint against Israel at the UN Security Council.