Hezbollah Tunnel
The Israeli military today released a video of a tunnel allegedly used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon and said it was “nothing like” the one built by Hamas in Gaza. In a one-minute video, an Israeli troop was seen showing a “hundred-metre” tunnel in south Lebanon with iron doors, “functioning” rooms, AK-47 rifles, a bedroom, a bathroom, storage room of generators, water tanks and two-wheelers.
It was not immediately clear when and where the video was exactly filmed.
Israel and Hezbollah have been fighting across the Lebanese border since the war in Gaza erupted after Hamas attacked Israeli towns on October 7 last year.
“We are crossing the border into south Lebanon to see what Hezbollah has been doing in the villages of south Lebanon. Embedding itself underneath civilian houses preparing for an October 7-style attack on northern Israel,” the Israeli soldier can be heard saying in the clip.
Radwan “terrorists could stay here for weeks,” she said while referring to Iran-backed Hezbollah’s elite units.
“This is nothing like the tunnels we saw in Gaza,” she added.
She also showed the tunnel’s exit and claimed it was a Lebanese civilian house in southern Lebanon.
Since launching a cross-border ground assault into Lebanon late last month, the Israeli military says it has found multiple tunnel shafts under homes, including one it said was about 25 metres long and crossed into Israel.
On Tuesday, it said its troops in south Lebanon had captured three Hezbollah fighters.
“An underground shaft was located inside a building used by Hezbollah. The forces surrounded the building, where three terrorists of the Radwan Force were entrenched,” the military said in a statement.
“They were found alongside many weapons and equipment needed for a long stay,” it added.
On Sunday, the Israeli military said it had captured a Hezbollah fighter from an underground tunnel shaft in south Lebanon.
In the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently released footage showcasing what they claim is a Hezbollah-built tunnel along the Lebanon-Israel border. In a statement accompanying the release, Israeli officials described the tunnel as “nothing like we saw in Gaza,” drawing a distinction between the militant tunnels constructed by Hezbollah and those used by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The video is part of a broader effort by Israel to expose Hezbollah’s growing military capabilities, underscoring the rising threat from its northern neighbor.
The Hezbollah Tunnel Network
Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group, has long been regarded as a formidable adversary for Israel. Unlike Hamas in Gaza, which primarily relies on tunnels for smuggling and launching attacks against Israel, Hezbollah’s tunnel network is believed to serve both defensive and offensive purposes. These tunnels are strategically built to evade Israeli detection, house weapons, and prepare for potential confrontations with the Israeli military.
The newly exposed tunnel is reportedly part of a broader underground infrastructure that Hezbollah has been developing for years. Israeli intelligence has warned about Hezbollah’s advanced military capabilities, which are said to include sophisticated missile systems, drones, and now, reinforced tunnels designed to withstand Israeli attacks. The tunnel captured in the video is described as being more fortified and technologically advanced than the ones Israel encountered during its operations in Gaza.
Comparison to Gaza Tunnels
The tunnel systems in Gaza, used predominantly by Hamas, have been a significant focus of Israeli military operations for over a decade. During the 2014 Gaza war, the IDF launched Operation Protective Edge, which included a substantial effort to destroy Hamas’s tunnel network, as it was being used to launch attacks and smuggle weapons. These tunnels were smaller, often built in densely populated areas, and were used to move fighters and supplies in and out of Gaza, as well as to surprise Israeli forces near the border.
In contrast, Hezbollah’s tunnel system along the northern border with Lebanon seems to be of a different nature. According to the IDF, the tunnels are larger, better equipped, and designed with more advanced engineering techniques. While Hamas’s tunnels were primarily offensive—meant to infiltrate Israel—Hezbollah’s are believed to be multipurpose, with both defensive and offensive components, indicating a broader strategic approach to warfare.
Israel’s Response and Concerns
The release of the video comes amid growing concerns in Israel about Hezbollah’s military build-up. The IDF has repeatedly warned that Hezbollah poses a more significant threat than Hamas, primarily due to its access to more advanced weaponry, funding from Iran, and combat experience gained from its involvement in the Syrian civil war.
Israeli officials have expressed fears that Hezbollah’s underground network could be used in a future war to launch surprise attacks on Israeli military positions or civilian communities near the border. In 2018, Israel launched “Operation Northern Shield” to locate and destroy several Hezbollah attack tunnels, which were allegedly intended to enable Hezbollah fighters to infiltrate northern Israel during a conflict. The latest revelation suggests that despite Israeli efforts, Hezbollah’s tunnel-building activities may have continued or advanced.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the tunnel discovery, stating, “What we are seeing along our northern border is an indication of Hezbollah’s intent to escalate tensions and prepare for conflict. We cannot and will not allow this threat to materialize unchecked.” Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to defending its borders and its readiness to take pre-emptive measures against Hezbollah if necessary.
International Reactions
The discovery of Hezbollah’s tunnel has raised alarms not just in Israel, but also among the international community, particularly in the United States and Europe, where there are concerns about Hezbollah’s growing influence in Lebanon and its ties to Iran. The U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning Hezbollah’s tunnel construction, calling it a violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which was passed after the 2006 Lebanon war to prevent hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
France, a key player in Middle Eastern diplomacy, also voiced concerns. French officials reiterated their support for the stability of Lebanon but stressed the importance of preventing Hezbollah from engaging in further militarization, which could destabilize the fragile peace in the region.
Hezbollah’s Response
As of this report, Hezbollah has not directly responded to the release of the tunnel video. However, the group has historically denied accusations of tunnel-building and claimed that its military preparations are purely defensive, aimed at deterring Israeli aggression. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has previously warned that any Israeli attack on Lebanon would be met with a strong response, indicating that Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, including its tunnels, is part of its strategy to defend Lebanese sovereignty.
Potential Implications for Future Conflict
The revelation of Hezbollah’s tunnel network adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation along the Lebanon-Israel border. The discovery suggests that Hezbollah is preparing for a long-term conflict, with tunnels playing a crucial role in its defensive and offensive strategy. This raises the prospect of future military confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah, which could have far-reaching consequences for the stability of the region.
For Israel, the challenge is clear: how to neutralize the growing threat posed by Hezbollah without sparking a full-scale war that could engulf the region. With Hezbollah’s enhanced military capabilities and its backing from Iran, any future conflict could be far more devastating than previous skirmishes, posing significant risks to both sides.
In the meantime, the IDF continues to monitor Hezbollah’s activities closely, and Israel has indicated that it will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the security of its northern border. As tensions simmer, the possibility of a major conflict remains a looming concern, with the discovery of Hezbollah’s tunnel system serving as a stark reminder of the persistent threats facing the region.
