Hezbollah Dug a Network of Tunnels in Lebanon That is More Dangerous Than Hamas

A recent investigative piece in the French publication Libération has brought to light a concerning revelation: Hezbollah has reportedly been engaged in an extensive project of tunnel construction spanning over three decades within Lebanon. These tunnels, stretching hundreds of kilometers and reaching depths of 40 to 80 meters, are purportedly constructed with the aid of North Korean technology. The report underscores the complexity and potential danger of these underground passages, suggesting that the detonation of certain tunnels could trigger earthquakes or landslides.

Journalist Laurence Defranoux, delving into the matter, suggests that the digging initiative commenced in the 1980s but gained momentum in the late 1990s. It was purportedly intended to provide shelter for members of the Shiite militant group in anticipation of potential Israeli military operations in Lebanon. The report alleges that in response to a Hamas attack on October 7, Israel resorted to dropping white phosphorus bombs in southern Lebanon to clear vegetation and expose tunnel entrances. Supposedly, this led to the discovery and destruction of 12 such tunnels.

Military sources, speaking to the newspaper, shed light on the methods employed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to surveil and map out the tunnel network. These methods reportedly include the utilization of motion detectors, optical fibers linked to the 4G network, drones, robots, and other intelligence-gathering assets.

Retired General Olivier Fasso, who previously served as a liaison officer for the United Nations in southern Lebanon and now works as a researcher at the French Institute for Strategic and Operational Education (IFESO), provided insight into the historical development of the tunnels. According to Fasso, while Palestinian groups initiated tunnel construction in the 1960s, Hezbollah significantly expanded the network, particularly in the late 1990s and after the 2006 war with Israel.

Tal Beeri, heading the research department at the Alma Security Research Center, previously disclosed findings indicating the involvement of civilian companies in tunnel construction activities in southern Lebanon. These companies, purportedly operating under the auspices of a firm called Jihad Construction, employed Hezbollah operatives to manually excavate tunnels using quieter hydraulic equipment or air hammers.

Each worker is estimated to be capable of digging approximately 15 meters per month. Additionally, the Lebanese environmental organization Green Without Borders has allegedly come under scrutiny, being accused of providing cover for the construction of underground facilities for weapon storage purposes, leading to its inclusion on U.S. sanctions lists.

Reports from Alma, dating back to 2021, highlighted the strategic significance of these tunnels, some of which connect key locations in southern Lebanon to Beirut and the Beqaa Valley. The extensive network is believed to span hundreds of kilometers, with one particularly lengthy tunnel stretching 45 kilometers. These tunnels serve various purposes, from facilitating terrorist infiltration into Israel to housing Iranian ballistic missile installations like the Fateh-110.

The 2024 report by Alma further underscores the presence of tunnels laden with explosives beneath strategic sites, which have remained dormant for years. The detonation of such tunnels could potentially result in seismic events and landslides, a tactic reminiscent of early World War I strategies.

In 2018, Israel uncovered six tunnels along its Blue Line border with Lebanon, with depths of up to 40 meters. General Fasso, who inspected these tunnels, speculated that Israel likely employed acoustic and seismic sensors to locate them, a process that could take weeks to implement.

Lebanese authorities purportedly deny the existence of these tunnels, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Fasso alleges that some of the largest tunnels are situated beneath farms and private factories, facilitating clandestine movement of heavy digging equipment without drawing attention.

Hezbollah’s acquisition of land, ostensibly for nature reserves, has raised suspicions of potential covert activities, including the establishment of training camps or weapon caches with interconnected tunnel systems. Fasso suggests that Israel initially curtailed such activities until 2000 but faced renewed challenges after Hezbollah’s reorganization post-2006.

An Israeli military source cited in Libération expressed apprehension about engaging in operations within Lebanese territory, citing concerns about confronting a well-prepared subterranean adversary. This sentiment aligns with the reported postponement of an Israeli ultimatum to Hezbollah from January to February.

{Matzav.com Israel}