Lebanon Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment - UNEP

LEBANONPOST-CONFLICT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTWeapons and ammunition used in the 2006 conflictOn 18 August 2006, the UN Mine Action Coordination Centre (UNMACC) of South Lebanonissued the following report on weapons and ammunition used during the conflict 1 :a. Aerial bombsSince hostilities began there has been an average of 200 - 300 aerial-delivered bombsdropped daily (recorded by UNIFIL) on areas adjacent to the Blue Line with at least a similarand additional amount dropped on the remainder of South Lebanon. This, coupled with theextensive bombing of areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, NorthLebanon, [and] Bekaa Valley, amount to [a] potential and extensive threat from un-explodedhigh-explosive bombs ranging from 500 lb to 1,000 lb. In southern Beirut, where the principaltargets were supposed underground bunkers this threat may increase to bombs of 2,000lb and upwards. An average of 10 per cent of such ordnance fails to function as designedand remains in the ground as a significant explosive hazard.b. Aerial-delivered missilesAgain, there have been an average of 200 - 300 aerial-delivered missiles fired daily (recorded byUNIFIL) on areas adjacent to the Blue Line with at least a similar and additional amount fired onthe remainder of Lebanon in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.c. Ground-launched artilleryFor the initial weeks of the conflict the Israeli Forces maintained a constant delivery ofapproximately 2,000 rounds per day fired (recorded by UNIFIL) on areas adjacent to theBlue Line with at least a similar and additional amount fired on the remainder of SouthLebanon. In the last weeks immediately preceding the ceasefire this frequency increased toapproximately 6,000 rounds per day. This ordnance constitutes the biggest threat to postceasefire/cessationof hostilities humanitarian operations and, in general, consists of:1) 155 mm High Explosive rounds SP artillery (M109 Doher and Rochev)2) 105 mm High Explosive and HEAT rounds (Merkava Mk 1 & 2)3) 120 mm High Explosive and HEAT rounds (Merkava Mk 3)4) 120 mm heavy mortar5) 160 mm heavy mortar6) 81 mm medium mortar7) 60 mm light mortar8) 160 mm Light Artillery Rocket System (LAR-60): High Explosive or Cluster Munitions warhead.Each launch pod contains 13 or 18 rocket pods; each rocket contains 184 bomblets (Mk2)or 105 bomblets (Mk3) and is designed to give area coverage of 31,400 m 2 per clusterwarhead9) 227 mm M270 MLRS: M77 sub-munition system (similar to M62 or KB1)d. Naval-launched artilleryIsraeli Forces have maintained a constant delivery of approximately 100 - 200 rounds perday fired (recorded by UNIFIL) on areas throughout South Lebanon. Naval artillery was alsofired into the southern suburbs of Beirut. This ordnance also constitutes a threat to postceasefire/cessationof hostilities humanitarian operations and, in general, consists of: 76mm High Explosive rounds and Harpoon-type missiles.e. Ground-to-ground combat systemsIDF and Hezbollah have engaged in substantial ground combat operations. To date thesehave mainly been centred on the villages of Marwhin, Bint Jbeil/Marun al Ras and KafaKila/Al Taibe, Marjayoun, Al Qantara, Al Bayyada, Aadaise, and Bayt Yahun. Both sides haveused conventional small arms (up to 50 cal/14.5 mm) and light missile systems. Hezbollahis confirmed as using Milan and other similar anti-armour TOW systems.148 • United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme •