The IDF says its Northern Command – led by the Galilee Division – has completed the destruction of all the cross-border attack tunnels that were dug by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist group originating from the Southern Lebanese village of Kafr Kila.
Those tunnels, exposed down earlier this month after the launch of Operation Northern Shield, were to be used by Hezbollah to transport its fighters into Israel as part of its attack plan to conquer part of the northern Galilee.
“The exposure and destruction of the tunnels have led to a significant impact on Hezbollah’s ability to realize its plans,” said the IDF Spokesperson. “IDF operations have thwarted and prevented Hezbollah’s attempt to hit the city and residents of Metulla,” he said.
Neutralizing tunnels lasted several days and included engineering methods using a variety of means. “During the course of the IDF operations, materials used by the IDF to seal the tunnels were seen flowing from a civilian building in the village of Kila.
“Observers identified the shaft of one of the tunnels, as well as a cinder block factory, which the IDF pointed out to be the focus of digging another tunnel.
“This fact indicates Hezbollah’s use of civilian structures in the heart of the built-up area of southern Lebanon, in flagrant violation of [UN] Resolution 1701 and endangering its citizens as human shields,” the IDF said.
The IDF Spokesperson said Israel’s military holds the Lebanese government responsible for the digging of the tunnels and the ramifications of those activities.
“The IDF will continue to act in coordination with the heads of the relevant authorities and their residents, and to update them as much as necessary. The IDF will continue to expose and neutralize the tunnels in accordance with the plans delineated in Operation Northern Shield,” he added.
