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Israel says 4th ‘attack tunnel’ found from Lebanon
JERUSALEM, Dec 16, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Israel’s army said Sunday it has
uncovered another Hezbollah “attack tunnel” leading from Lebanon into its
territory, the fourth since it started a search-and-destroy operation this
month.
Israel says the Iranian-backed Shiite militant group has dug the
infiltration tunnels for use in a future conflict, and the military has been
working to eliminate them.
The latest tunnel crossing into northern Israel was exposed at the
weekend, the army said in a statement.
As with the other tunnels, soldiers placed explosives in it to keep out
militants from the Lebanese side, it said.
The military refused to give the exact location, stressing the tunnel did
not “pose an imminent threat”.
On December 4, the army announced an operation dubbed “Northern Shield” to
destroy tunnels it said have been dug under the border by Hezbollah. Israel
fought a devastating war against Hezbollah in 2006 that was halted by a UN-
brokered truce.
Hezbollah is the only group in Lebanon not to have disarmed after the
country’s 1975-1990 civil war.
“The Lebanese government is held accountable for the attack tunnels dug
from Lebanese territory,” the Sunday statement said.
“This is another blatant breach of UN Resolution 1701 and of Israeli
sovereignty,” it added, referring to the resolution ending the 2006 war.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the UN peacekeeping
force in south Lebanon, UNIFIL, and international community should do more to
curb Hezbollah’s “acts of aggression against Israel”.
UNIFIL has verified the existence of two of the tunnels Israel has exposed
so far.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1510 hrs