Forced Desertification in Lebanon

White phosphorus affects all agricultural crops irrigated with water contaminated by its elements, and thus, this impact extends to humans through consumption.

Antoine Al-Kalab, Executive Director of the Nature Conservation Center at the American University of Beirut, explains this by saying: "The spread of white phosphorus can affect multiple ecosystems and may threaten food security at the local level. It can also cause contamination of water streams, impacting the health of nearby communities, that rely on these sources for drinking water. Additionally, nearby fish traps become at risk of contamination, which could transfer to humans through consumption."

This was confirmed by the "National Authority of the Litani River," as the Israeli targeting – which affected all Lebanon – also reached the Litani River. This impacted the river's color, and the odor emanating from its course was toxic, according to information obtained by "ARIJ" from the authority through the "Ghorbal" initiative.

The authority collected samples from four areas of the Litani River: Khardali, Sir al-Gharbiya-Tir Falesh, Zawtar al-Gharbiya-Qaqaiyat al-Jisr, and Qasimiyah. The samples revealed that the concentration of lead exceeded the maximum permissible limit in the surface waters of the examined areas. The lowest lead level was found in the waters of the Sir al-Gharbiya-Tir Falesh area, approximately 0.122 milligrams per liter, which is 1120% higher than the maximum allowable limit of 0.01 milligrams of lead per liter, according to the World Health Organization.

The organization adds that the effects of lead may cause "anemia, high blood pressure, kidney failure, poisoning of the immune system and reproductive organs, and severe lead poisoning may lead to coma, seizures, and even death."

In addition to lead, the results of the "samples" analysis indicated the concentration of cadmium, which "exceeded the maximum permissible limit in the surface waters in the Zawtar al-Gharbiya-Qaqaiyat al-Jisr area." The cadmium concentration was approximately 0.032 milligrams per liter of river water in Zawtar al-Gharbiya-Qaqaiyat al-Jisr, while the maximum permissible concentration is 0.003 milligrams per liter of water.

Cadmium is a natural element found in small amounts in air, water, soil, and food, according to the National Cancer Institute in the United States. The World Health Organization explains that it "negatively affects the kidneys, skeletal system, and respiratory system, and is classified as a carcinogen to humans. Cadmium can travel long distances from the emission source through airborne transport."

The organization further adds that there is "sufficient evidence of its role in causing lung cancer."

Al-Khirdali

Maximum limit

0.003

Actual percentage

0

Maximum limit

0.01

Actual percentage

0.157

Seer Al-Gharbiya - Deir Falsiyeh

Maximum limit

0.003

Actual percentage

0

Maximum limit

0.01

Actual percentage

0.122

Zawtar Al-Gharbiya - Qaaqaiyat Al-Jisr

Maximum limit

0.003

Actual percentage

0.032

Maximum limit

0.01

Actual percentage

0.161

Al-Qasmiyeh

Maximum limit

0.003

Actual percentage

0

Maximum limit

0.01

Actual percentage

0.172

The maximum limits for heavy metals in surface water and irrigation water. Source: National Authority for the Litani River.

The study suggests also the presence of lead and cadmium for several reasons, the most significant being dust, building walls, explosive materials resulting from rocket explosions, soil erosion carrying pollutants into the river, and the leakage of heavy metals from pipes when they are damaged by missile strikes.

In addition to lead and cadmium, the report recorded a noticeable increase in the levels of phosphorus and phosphates, which were approximately 20 times higher than their average levels over the past five years.

Comparison of Phosphate Levels in the Litani River ( December 2024 and the Past Five Years).

The maximum allowable limit in irrigation water

Source: National Authority for the Litani River.

The report added that the recently recorded levels of phosphorus and phosphates are abnormal, those are levels that the river had never recorded before the Israeli war on Lebanon, making the war the cause of phosphorus pollution.

Pollution from Agricultural Activities

The repeated targeting with white phosphorus, in addition to the loss of thousands of acres of agricultural land, has placed Lebanese lands at risk of desertification. Agricultural engineer Hanna Mikhaiel explains: "We lost oak and juniper trees, we lost olive trees, we lost many types of trees. We lost them and we cannot plant other plants in their place. We lost the land, the environment got polluted... I imagine all of these are signs of desertification."

In this context, Lebanese Minister of Agriculture Dr. Abbas Al-Hajj Hassan clarifies the extent of the damage to agricultural areas: "Six thousand dunams were indirectly or partially affected, and two thousand and five hundred dunams were completely destroyed. Of course, this is a huge number... these forest areas were trees that provided us with significant economic returns."

According to the Lebanese minister, "This Israeli approach exacerbates the issue of global warming, and it destroys all efforts aimed at helping the Middle East reduce the Earth's temperature, combat global warming, and address desertification."

Warning of Desertification

Despite the massive destruction during the "July War" between Lebanon and Israel in 2006, the bombing only affected about 25% of the agricultural land, particularly in southern Lebanon. However, in the recent Israeli war (2023-2024), the targeted agricultural areas increased, further exacerbating the losses in this sector, according to farmers we spoke with while working on this report.

Farmer Hassan Saqqa explains the situation at the time: "The 2006 war lasted for a limited period, only 34 days, and olives are harvested in October. Most of the airstrikes (during the 2006 war) targeted properties."

According to the Ministry of Agriculture's figures, the damage extended beyond just the land, affecting the entire agricultural and livestock sectors. Minister Abbas al-Hajj Hassan explains that the value of the southern region's production in the national output used to represent about 20%, but after the recent war, this percentage decreased.

With the expansion of the war on Lebanon on September 23, 2024, 68% of the agricultural areas were affected, either directly or indirectly, in the regions of Nabatieh, the South, Beqaa, and Baalbek-Hermel. Meanwhile, only 32% of the cultivated areas in Mount Lebanon, Akkar, and the North were spared.

The Israeli war resulted in the complete destruction of more than 3,220 dunams and the damage of approximately 7,200 dunams in the southern governorate, including agricultural and forested lands.

Lebanese Minister of Agriculture, Abbas al-Hajj Hassan, confirms that at least 45% of Lebanese people are directly or indirectly affected by the agricultural sector due to the rising prices of certain products.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, the number of fires caused by the use of white phosphorus reached 1,042 fires, from October 2023 to August 2024.

Map of Israeli Aggressions on Lebanon Until September 27, 2024.

Source: General Secretariat of the Supreme Defense Council.

High Costs

Agricultural engineer Hanna Mkhayel confirms that while phosphorus bombing is prohibited under international law, its removal remains a difficult task: "Because white phosphorus is banned worldwide, there haven't been many studies on how to rehabilitate land after phosphorus bombing... There are some crops capable of cleaning the environment." Additionally, there are bacteria that can be added to the soil to convert this substance into other materials that plants can absorb. These are generally the solutions, but the cost remains extremely high, according to Hanna.

Antoine El Kallab, Executive Director of the Nature Protection Center at the American University of Beirut, also points to the high cost of phosphorus cleanup efforts, based on experiences from other countries. El Kallab adds that the U.S. government allocated $400 million for environmental rehabilitation from the effects of “Agent Orange”, using landfills to dispose of contaminated soil and sediments. The heavily contaminated soil is treated through thermal conduction heating, where the pollutants are heated at no less than 300°C to deactivate the toxic compounds.

He also mentions the "Eagle River Flats" site, as another example, where it was declared highly toxic after years of testing contaminated munitions by the U.S. military. Cleanup efforts continued at the site through pond pumping and sediment drying from 1982 to 2008.

"Lebanon's Corruption" Enhances a Culture of Impunity

The information obtained by "ARIJ" from the "Nature Protection Center" highlights the increased impact of white phosphorus on civilians, from the first Israeli phosphorus bombing of Lebanon in 1993 to the latest waves of bombing from October 2023.

Lebanon has been subjected to Israeli phosphorus bombings multiple times, yet the Lebanese government has not filed any complaints before the International Court! Despite the fact that the Human Rights Committee, part of the parliamentary council, was preparing to file a complaint against Israel.

Legal expert Karim Al-Mufti, Professor of Political Science and International Law, at Sciences Po in Paris, believes that Hezbollah was behind obstructing the lawsuit against Israel: "There was an attempt very early on, months ago. I prepared a draft with the Human Rights Committee of the Lebanese Parliament for a project intended for the Foreign Minister, at least to open the space to sign the declaration of Article 12, Paragraph 3, to seek compensation from Israel."

Al-Mufti explains that investigations could have consequences for Hezbollah as well, not just for Israel, because the International Criminal Court does not focus on just one side, but considers all aspects, as in the case of Palestine, where arrest warrants have been issued for both Hamas leaders and Israeli officials.

He adds that Lebanon still has an opportunity to defend itself in international forums against Israel: "Lebanon also has another option that it has not agreed to use, which is either to join the International Criminal Court, as Palestine did, or simply to declare the court’s jurisdiction under Article 12, Paragraph 3 of the Rome Statute. This means you don’t join, don’t ratify, or sign the Rome Statute, but you grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction for a specific timeframe."

According to Al-Mufti, the United Nations had previously demanded that Israel pay Lebanon compensation of no less than $800 million, but the demand was not mandatory because Lebanon would need to go to the International Court of Justice and proceed in that direction, which Lebanon has not done out of fear of recognizing Israel. Al-Mufti questions why, when Lebanon signed the maritime border agreement, there was no issue with recognizing Israel and reaching a deal with it, and even Hezbollah did not object to that.

High Civilian Toll from "Phosphorus Aggression"

According to figures from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the number of casualties during the ongoing war from October 8, 2023, to August 20, 2024, reached 2,412 people, including 257 individuals who were injured by white phosphorus. This indicates that 10.66% of the injuries were caused by phosphorus.

Injuries and fatalities caused by white phosphorus.

Source: Ministry of Public Health - Epidemiological Surveillance Program.

Antoine El Kallab, Executive Director of the Nature Protection Center at the American University of Beirut, confirms that the chemical toxicity of white phosphorus is extremely dangerous. He explains that if its burns affect just 10% of the body, it can lead to the victim's death. Moreover, the white phosphorus flame cannot be extinguished with water, requiring immediate access to specialized care, which is often unavailable in conflict zones.

He adds: "People who inhale white phosphorus smoke often suffer from multiple complications, such as respiratory and digestive disorders, and bone deformities due to the high toxicity of the substance. Survivors are also at high risk of organ failure, including the heart, kidneys, and liver."

Tharwa Al-Zahran, an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the American University of Beirut, explains the risks of skin exposure to white phosphorus: "Skin exposures can lead to extremely painful burns, varying in depth, with a yellowish color due to the chemical and thermal effects, accompanied by a smell similar to garlic. These burns can cause second- and third-degree injuries within minutes to hours."

War and Economic Crises

In addition to the war, the economic crisis that Lebanon has been suffering from, since 2019, has worsened agricultural problems in the south, particularly after the decrease in municipal budgets, which led to a reduction in investment in local agricultural development.

This is confirmed by farmer Hassan Saqa, who says: "Working with municipalities has become non-existent," due to the decline in their budgets following the economic collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the overall economic situation. He adds, "I used to work in several houses owned by expatriates, but they were afraid to waste their money in case the war broke out, so work decreased by 80%."

In addition to the obstacles posed by bombing and war, Lebanese Minister of Agriculture Dr. Abbas al-Haj Hassan confirms the Israeli targeting of farmers: "There are sniper operations, despite that farmers try to harvest their crops. However, they can only harvest about 30% of their crops."

Al-Haj Hassan adds, "The Israelis know well that they are farmers, but they don't want them to work on their land."