A UNIFIL announcement regarding the discovery of four tons of ammonium nitrate explosives in the southern Lebanese town of Houla has triggered growing questions over the origin of the materials, the circumstances of their presence, and the Israeli role in this issue, according to a report by Al-Akhbar Lebanese daily.
The international force disclosed the find in what Al-Akhbar described as an “incomplete” statement published on its website, providing no details on the source of the explosives. However, accompanying images showed containers identical to those used by Israeli occupation forces in demolition operations targeting residential areas.
🧵Before peacekeepers movement, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists go first to assess the area.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) July 28, 2026
They identify and safely neutralize explosive hazards, helping make routes safer for peacekeepers to carry out their tasks and reducing risks. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/QN7FTyCR9y
Al-Akhbar cited a military source as saying the materials belong to the Israeli occupation army, noting that Hebrew markings were visible on some of the packaging.
“Al-Akhbar has learned from a concerned military source that the explosives in question belong to the Israeli occupation army, a conclusion reinforced by Hebrew markings visible on some of the packaging,” the paper said.
Lebanese security sources, quoted by Agence France-Presse, also confirmed that the explosives were remnants of materials used by Israeli forces in operations to destroy villages and neighborhoods in southern Lebanon.
Al-Akhbar report added that the Israeli occupation has recently relied on drones to drop similar explosive containers over targeted areas before detonating them, including an incident days ago in the hills near Ali Al-Taher Heights, east of Nabatieh.
The daily, meanwhile, raised concerns over the timing and manner of UNIFIL’s disclosure, noting that the materials were discovered on July 2 but only announced later as part of a broader report on unexploded ordnance clearance. The delay, the newspaper said, “caused confusion within the international force itself,” with some parties reportedly unaware of the findings due to strict secrecy.
Al-Akhbar also pointed to a lack of coordination with the Lebanese Army, stating that UNIFIL “did not inform the army of its findings,” despite such exchanges being central to joint operations. It added that the failure to identify the source of the explosives in the official statement, despite indications it was known, “raises questions about the motives behind the announcement.”
According to informed sources cited by the paper, the handling of the issue reflects “a failure to appreciate the sensitivity of the Lebanese situation,” warning that it effectively serves the Israeli narrative while opening the door to renewed speculation linked to the Beirut port explosion.
Anti-Resistance Lebanese media outlets “exploited the news as political ammunition,” particularly ahead of the anniversary of the Beirut blast, with some coverage deliberately suggesting a connection between the two incidents,” according to the daily
The municipality of Houla commented on the discovery, describing it as “one of the criminal acts of the Israeli enemy and a dangerous indicator that cannot be ignored.” It stressed that the materials constitute “a blatant crime and a direct threat to the town,” holding the Israeli enemy “fully responsible for the introduction or use of any explosive or dangerous materials within Lebanese territory.”
The municipality called on Lebanese authorities to open an official investigation and take “necessary legal and diplomatic measures” to protect citizens and national territory.
Source: Al-Akhbar newspaper (translated and edited y Al-Manar)