Israeli Opposition Faces Scrutiny Over Northern Security Approach After Hezbollah Tunnel Discovery

Following the recent exposure of Hezbollah tunnels and terror infrastructure in Lebanon, Israeli opposition leaders who previously advocated for political agreements to restore northern residents now face critical questions. Benny Gantz had set a goal to return northern residents by September 1, Gadi Eisenkot supported a return based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and Yair Lapid repeatedly called for a political arrangement to enable residents to come back. These positions were expressed before the discovery of extensive terror tunnels and weapons caches beneath the border.

The author, deputy mayor of Kiryat Shmona, who has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government’s handling of security, emphasizes that relying on agreements with Hezbollah is dangerous. He recalls criticizing the 2024 ceasefire agreement and the first truce of the latest conflict, arguing that the real issue is the false belief that Hezbollah would honor such deals. The recent revelations of terror infrastructure confirm the risks of that approach.

He challenges opposition leaders seeking public trust to explain how their strategies would have prevented the latest threats, including tunnels and terror attacks targeting northern Israeli communities. The article stresses that security cannot be based on hope but must be achieved by eliminating threats without compromise.