Israel Weighs Handing Hezbollah Tunnel Site to Lebanese Army

Israeli defense officials are considering allowing the Lebanese Army to take over a Hezbollah tunnel compound in the southern Lebanese village of Tebnine, in what would be a first test of whether Lebanon’s army is willing to act openly against Hezbollah. The idea surfaced in recent political and military discussions and could be raised in the next round of talks on Tuesday.

A senior Israeli source said the move could serve as “a benchmark for the ability and motivation of the Lebanese Army to deal publicly and in a precedent-setting way with Hezbollah.” Security officials also noted that, in the past, the Lebanese Army has struggled to confront the group, either because of limited capability or because of a lack of will.

The Tebnine area has become one of the main fighting zones for the IDF in southern Lebanon. Israeli intelligence says 30 to 40 Hezbollah operatives are inside a large underground complex there, while Israeli forces control the terrain above it. Because of the ceasefire, the IDF is not entering the tunnels. The compound, located in the area of Beaufort and Ali al-Taher, is described as a strategic network of tunnels, and the IDF says destroying it is a central objective in southern Lebanon.

Separately, the IDF said today it uncovered another underground site in the village of Majdal Zun, about 10 kilometers from the Israeli border. According to the military, the facility was built 29 meters underground, stretched more than 200 meters, contained 12 rooms, blast doors, four launch shafts aimed at Israel, and hundreds of weapons.