UNIFIL Force Discovers Tons of Ammonium Nitrate Compounds in Southern Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced on Tuesday that it had discovered nearly 4,000 kilograms of highly explosive ammonium nitrate in the border town of Houla this month.

In a statement, the force said, “On July 2, during a routine inspection of a road near Houla, peacekeepers found 385 abandoned containers inside a building, containing approximately 4,000 kilograms of explosives, primarily composed of ammonium nitrate compounds.”

It added, “After a thorough risk assessment, UNIFIL explosives disposal specialists carried out field operations to neutralize the materials and render them safe, thereby eliminating the threat they posed.”

A source familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, told Agence France-Presse that the containers bore Hebrew writing, suggesting they had been used in demolition operations carried out by Israel.

Houla is located in the Marjayoun district within the “security zone” where Israel has stated it will maintain its forces, despite a decline in clashes with Hezbollah since Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding in June to halt the war in the Middle East, including in Lebanon, followed by a US-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

Despite the reduced intensity of violence, Israel continues to carry out widespread bombing and demolition operations in numerous towns and villages.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported at least four explosions carried out by the Israeli army in Houla since the beginning of July.

In a statement on July 8, the Houla municipality “strongly and most severely condemned the crimes of arson, bombing, and destruction of homes, public buildings, and private property committed by the Israeli enemy.”

Ammonium nitrate is a white, odorless salt that is soluble in water. It is used as a base for many nitrogen-based fertilizers and can also be used in the manufacture of explosives.