The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Saturday the discovery and destruction of a Hezbollah-controlled tunnel in southern Lebanon. Extending over 300 feet, the tunnel, used by Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces, served as a terrorist hideout.
During operations aimed at preventing Hezbollah from acquiring weapons, the IDF uncovered the tunnel. These operations follow over a year of attacks by Hezbollah on Israel, preceding a ceasefire agreed upon last month.
An IDF statement detailed the discovery, with the assistance of the Yahalom Unit, of rifles, machine guns, anti-tank missiles, and surveillance equipment within the tunnel.
The IDF confiscated and destroyed all weapons and the tunnel itself.
Nearby, the IDF also found an anti-tank missile stockpile and heavy machine gun emplacements targeting IDF positions.
The tunnel connected to a site containing rockets used to attack Israel during the conflict, along with a substantial quantity of explosives.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) urged Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon on Thursday, citing violations of the November 27 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. This was reported by Reuters.
A U.S.-brokered 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah mandates a phased Israeli withdrawal, in accordance with a 2006 UN Security Council resolution.
The agreement stipulates that Hezbollah fighters relocate north of the Litani River, approximately 20 miles north of the Israeli border, coinciding with a complete Israeli withdrawal from the south.
UNIFIL also highlighted the ongoing destruction of residential areas, farmland, and infrastructure in southern Lebanon by Israeli forces.
“UNIFIL continues to press for the timely withdrawal of the IDF and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (in place of Hezbollah) in southern Lebanon, alongside the full implementation of Resolution 1701 as a comprehensive path toward peace,” the statement read.
The IDF responded to Reuters’ inquiry about UNIFIL’s criticism but provided no further details.
The ceasefire allows for a 60-day Israeli withdrawal period, prohibiting offensive actions from either side.
The Lebanese army stated to Reuters that it was engaging with UNIFIL and the ceasefire oversight committee regarding Israel’s ongoing operations in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL committed to continued monitoring of the area south of the Litani River to ensure the absence of armed personnel and weapons, excluding those belonging to the Lebanese government and UNIFIL.
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