Israeli Security Officials Fear Hezbollah Kidnapping Attempt in Southern Lebanon

Israeli security officials expect the issue of dozens of Hezbollah fighters trapped in a subterranean complex in the village of Tebnine, southern Lebanon, to be discussed on Tuesday. The underground site was encircled last week during the ground maneuver in southern Lebanon by IDF forces, about 4 kilometers southeast of Nabatieh and 37 kilometers southeast of Sidon, after precise intelligence from Military Intelligence and Northern Command led troops to seal its entrances.

According to a security source, Israel conveyed a clear message through several mediators: surrender or be killed inside the tunnels. Other people familiar with the talks said that under the cease-fire the fighters can hand themselves over to the IDF, but for now they are staying underground. One source said Israel wants to use a pilot model to help demilitarize the area from Hezbollah operatives and terror infrastructure, and hinted at a similar process in Rafah, where Hamas fighters were eventually forced to come out, fight, or surrender.

At the same time, concern is growing among IDF forces in southern Lebanon that Radwan Force operatives on the ground, who are avoiding direct clashes, will look for an opening to carry out a kidnapping attack on soldiers in order to leverage negotiations. Troops have been instructed to move in pairs or threes and to ensure rapid coordination between air and ground forces if an assault is attempted on a tank, Namer armored vehicle, jeep, or building.

A military source told Walla that it cannot be ruled out that some of Hezbollah’s underground systems in southern Lebanon were designed to support a kidnapping attack, help attackers escape, or hold captives. The source added that most of the entrances to these underground systems are concealed and difficult to detect.