IDF Dismantles Hezbollah Tunnel: Discover What Lies Beneath Zar’it

Dimly lit underground tunnel with rocky walls.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has neutralized a Hezbollah tunnel near Zar’it, exposing an underground threat that local residents had long suspected.

At a Glance

IDF discovered and neutralized a Hezbollah tunnel extending 10 meters into Israeli territory
The tunnel, built over two years, contained weapons and explosives
Local residents had warned authorities about potential threats for years
This is currently the only known tunnel crossing from Lebanon into Israel
The discovery has heightened security concerns among northern Israeli communities

Tunnel Discovery and Neutralization

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have successfully uncovered and neutralized a Hezbollah tunnel near the community of Zar’it, close to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. The tunnel, extending approximately 10 meters into Israeli territory, was discovered during an IDF operation aimed at destroying terror infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Although the tunnel lacked an exit point on the Israeli side, it posed a significant security threat due to its potential use for offensive tactical operations.

The IDF reported that the tunnel, which began in the Lebanese village of Marwahin, was approximately 20 meters long and crossed the UN-recognized Blue Line. Hezbollah, an Iran-backed organization designated as a terrorist group by Israel and the United States, had been constructing the tunnel for about two years. The IDF had been monitoring its development from an early stage.

⭕️ A Hezbollah underground tunnel that crossed approx. 10 meters from Lebanon into Israeli territory was located and dismantled.

IDF troops located weapons, explosive devices, and anti-tank missiles in the tunnel.

The IDF will continue its limited, localized, targeted ground… pic.twitter.com/hEZC5cic39

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 8, 2024

Weapons Cache and Local Reaction

During the operation, IDF commandos discovered a cache of weapons inside the tunnel, including explosives and anti-tank missiles. This finding underscores the serious nature of the threat posed by these underground passages. The tunnel’s neutralization is part of a broader Israeli strategy to counter Hezbollah’s covert operations infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

“Everyone said we were imagining it,” said Sara and Zion Arbiv, longtime residents of Moshav Zar’it, located near Israel’s northern border, after the IDF uncovered a Hezbollah-built tunnel that ran dangerously close to their community on Tuesday. “We’ve stopped being the country’s human shield,” they added.

The discovery has sparked outrage among local residents who claim they had been warning authorities about potential threats for years. Sara and Zion Arbiv expressed their frustration, stating that their concerns had been repeatedly dismissed. The incident has led to calls for an investigation into what some perceive as a security failure.

Broader Security Implications

This tunnel discovery has heightened fears among residents of northern Israel, particularly in light of the recent coordinated assault from Gaza by Hamas. The similarity in tactics between Hezbollah and Hamas, both utilizing underground passages for potential cross-border raids, has raised alarm bells about the security of Israel’s northern frontier.

While the IDF maintains that there are currently no other known tunnels crossing into Israel from Lebanon, the incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of border security measures. Local officials, including Gabi Naaman, head of the Shlomi Local Council, and Shimon Guetta, head of the Ma’ale Yosef Regional Council, have criticized what they see as long-standing failures to adequately secure the border area.

As Israel continues its efforts to neutralize underground threats, this latest discovery serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced by communities along the northern border. The IDF’s success in identifying and neutralizing the tunnel before it could be operationalized underscores the importance of continued vigilance and proactive defense measures in safeguarding Israeli civilians from potential Hezbollah attacks.