Israel Weighs Handing Hezbollah Tunnel Case to Lebanese Army

Israeli security officials are considering letting the Lebanese Army take control of a Hezbollah tunnel complex in the southern Lebanese village of Tebnine, in what Israeli sources say would be a test of whether Lebanon’s army is willing and able to act openly against Hezbollah. The idea has come up in recent political and military discussions and could be raised again in the next round of talks on Tuesday.

A senior Israeli source said the move could serve as “an indicator of the ability and motivation of the Lebanese Army to deal publicly and in a precedent-setting way with Hezbollah.” Officials also stressed that past experience suggests the Lebanese Army has struggled to confront the group, either because of limited capability or lack of willingness.

The site in Tebnine has become one of the main battle areas for the IDF in southern Lebanon over the past week. Israeli intelligence says roughly 30 to 40 Hezbollah fighters are currently inside a large underground compound there, while IDF forces control the ground above it. Because of the cease-fire, Israeli troops are not entering the tunnel network. The compound, near the Beaufort and Ali al-Taher area, is described as a strategic underground system that Israel considers one of its main targets in the south.

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