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Israel to Blow Up Lebanon Tunnels, Block Return of Displaced
(MENAFN) Israel is preparing to destroy two underground routes in southern Lebanon while moving to bar displaced residents from returning to areas its forces may soon vacate, an Israeli public broadcaster reported Sunday.
The tunnels, located beneath the Ali al-Taher Heights, are expected to be demolished within days, the broadcaster said, citing unnamed military officials who claimed no "living armed operatives" remain at the site. The Israeli army is then expected to launch a phased pullback from what it terms its "security belt" in southern Lebanon.
The withdrawal plan is set to be presented this week to the head of the Israeli army's Northern Command before being forwarded to political leadership for final approval.
Under the proposal, Israeli forces would retreat from the so-called "yellow line" to a "gray line" positioned roughly 2 to 4 kilometers (1.2 to 2.5 miles) from the Israeli border — territory where the army intends to build about 20 permanent military positions.
The Israeli army claimed Thursday that it had achieved "operational control" both above and below ground in the Ali al-Taher Heights area. Hezbollah has not responded to the claim.
The broadcaster further reported that Israel, working through the United States, delivered a message to the Lebanese government stating that displaced residents would not be permitted, for now, to return to areas abandoned by Israeli troops. The matter is expected to surface in direct Israeli-Lebanese negotiations set to resume this month in Rome.
The disclosure comes as tensions climb in southern Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have intensified in recent days following the army's claim that it intercepted a drone allegedly fired by Hezbollah at its forces stationed in what Tel Aviv refers to as a "security zone" in southern Lebanon.
The escalation continues despite a US-brokered framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon on June 26, which laid out a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory in exchange for deployment of the Lebanese army.
Israel has struck Lebanon continuously since March 2, killing 4,362 people, wounding 12,378 others, and displacing more than 1 million people, according to Lebanese authorities.
Israel continues to occupy portions of southern Lebanon — including territory held for decades alongside land seized during the 2023-2024 conflict — with its forces having pushed more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory during the current round of fighting.
The tunnels, located beneath the Ali al-Taher Heights, are expected to be demolished within days, the broadcaster said, citing unnamed military officials who claimed no "living armed operatives" remain at the site. The Israeli army is then expected to launch a phased pullback from what it terms its "security belt" in southern Lebanon.
The withdrawal plan is set to be presented this week to the head of the Israeli army's Northern Command before being forwarded to political leadership for final approval.
Under the proposal, Israeli forces would retreat from the so-called "yellow line" to a "gray line" positioned roughly 2 to 4 kilometers (1.2 to 2.5 miles) from the Israeli border — territory where the army intends to build about 20 permanent military positions.
The Israeli army claimed Thursday that it had achieved "operational control" both above and below ground in the Ali al-Taher Heights area. Hezbollah has not responded to the claim.
The broadcaster further reported that Israel, working through the United States, delivered a message to the Lebanese government stating that displaced residents would not be permitted, for now, to return to areas abandoned by Israeli troops. The matter is expected to surface in direct Israeli-Lebanese negotiations set to resume this month in Rome.
The disclosure comes as tensions climb in southern Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have intensified in recent days following the army's claim that it intercepted a drone allegedly fired by Hezbollah at its forces stationed in what Tel Aviv refers to as a "security zone" in southern Lebanon.
The escalation continues despite a US-brokered framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon on June 26, which laid out a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory in exchange for deployment of the Lebanese army.
Israel has struck Lebanon continuously since March 2, killing 4,362 people, wounding 12,378 others, and displacing more than 1 million people, according to Lebanese authorities.
Israel continues to occupy portions of southern Lebanon — including territory held for decades alongside land seized during the 2023-2024 conflict — with its forces having pushed more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory during the current round of fighting.
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