As the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, so do the fears of the Lebanese people, especially with both countries issuing veiled and explicit threats to target each other’s nuclear facilities. The specter of a potential strike on Israel’s Dimona nuclear reactor by Iran has sparked growing concern in Lebanon over possible radioactive fallout that could sweep across its borders.

In an interview with Al-Modon, Dr. Bilal Nsouli, head of the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission under the National Council for Scientific Research, sought to provide some reassurance. He confirmed that Lebanon operates an Early Warning System (EWS) stationed across 20 military sites nationwide. These systems are tasked with detecting the presence of radioactive material and are currently being monitored every three hours.

“So far, the strikes on Iranian targets have not caused significant radioactive pollution because the materials were stored underground,” Nsouli explained. “The contamination was minor and remained localized.”

However, he warned that a direct hit on Israel's Dimona reactor would change the equation entirely.

“If that were to happen, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon would be the most affected countries,” he said.

According to Nsouli, Lebanon would first need to assess the extent of damage and whether radioactive materials remained buried underground.

“The real challenge is that we don’t even know what nuclear substances Israel possesses,” he said. “That makes it impossible to forecast any scenario with certainty.”

Should an explosion occur, Lebanese authorities would need to coordinate quickly to monitor wind patterns and the movement of radioactive particles.

“Depending on the type of material, it could take several days to reach Lebanon,” he noted, adding that the southern border regions and the Bekaa Valley would likely face the highest exposure, with radiation levels tapering off further inland depending on wind direction and speed.

The latest nuclear threat is triggering flashbacks for many Lebanese who remember past conflicts. In 1981, following Israel’s bombing of Iraq’s Osirak reactor, some residents took extreme protective measures by taping windows shut, using vinegar to clean surfaces, and even confining themselves indoors for weeks. Similar precautions were taken in 1991 when Iraq fired missiles at Israel, with fears they could be laced with chemical agents.

But Nsouli cautioned that such household measures are unlikely to be effective today.

“It depends on the type of radioactive material,” he said. “Radiation is invisible and odorless. You can’t tell if you’ve been exposed until the early warning system alerts us. And by the time radiation reaches Lebanon, it will likely have already passed through other countries.”

In a worst-case scenario, he said, the state may be forced to order a full evacuation of the most exposed regions and distribute specialized medications to the public.

One of the most concerning radioactive isotopes is iodine-131, which, if inhaled or ingested, settles in the thyroid gland and increases the risk of thyroid cancer due to its intense emissions.

“We are currently ruling out the worst scenarios. There is no need for panic, but we must stay vigilant and monitor the developments closely.”