Israel Weighs Handing Hezbollah Tunnel Compound to Lebanese Army

Israel’s security establishment is considering allowing the Lebanese Army to take control of a Hezbollah tunnel complex in the village of Tebnit in southern Lebanon, a move seen as an early test of Beirut’s willingness and ability to act against the militant group. According to a Channel 12 report, the idea has come up in recent days in political and military discussions and is expected to be raised again at the next round of talks on Tuesday.

Israeli officials say transferring responsibility for the site to the Lebanese Army could show whether it can operate independently and openly against Hezbollah. One Israeli source said it 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.” At the same time, security officials stressed that over the years the Lebanese Army has struggled to confront the organization, either because of operational limits or a lack of willingness to engage it.

Tebnit has become one of the main fighting zones for the IDF in southern Lebanon over the past week. Israeli security assessments put the number of Hezbollah fighters inside the underground compound at between 30 and 40. The IDF controls the area above the tunnels but has not entered them because of the ceasefire agreement.

The complex is described as a large strategic underground network in the Beaufort and Ali al-Taher area, with a sprawling system of tunnels used by Hezbollah operatives. The IDF says destroying the compound is one of its central goals in southern Lebanon, but the ceasefire currently prevents a ground entry into the tunnels themselves.