UN: Hezbollah Terror Tunnels Violate Security Council Resolution

UNIFIL confirmed that two of the tunnels dug by Hezbollah crossed the Blue Line, in violation of UNSC resolution 1701.

By: JNS and United with Israel Staff

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has confirmed that the tunnels dug by the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah into Israel violate Security Council resolution 1701.

“After further technical investigations conducted independently in accordance with its mandate, UNIFIL at this stage can confirm that two of the tunnels cross the Blue Line that demarcates the border between Israel and Lebanon. These constitute violations of UN Security Council resolution 1701,” the peacekeeping force said in a statement.

UNSC 1701 was passed in 2006 at the conclusion of the Second Lebanon War, demanding a full cessation of hostilities, a withdrawal by Hezbollah to the Blue Line, and that the government of Lebanon and the  UNIFIL deploy their forces in the South. Israel has repeatedly charged that Hezbollah violated the resolution on many occasions.

UNIFIL added that the tunnels are a “matter of serious concern” and will continue investigations into them. Furthermore, UNIFIL said that it has “requested the Lebanese authorities to ensure urgent follow-up actions in accordance with the responsibilities of the Government of Lebanon pursuant to resolution 1701.”

Israeli officials have said the existence of the tunnels is a “serious violation of Resolution 1701 and the State of Israel’s sovereignty.”

In early December, the IDF launched Operation Northern Shield to discover and eliminate underground tunnels constructed by Hezbollah from Lebanon to Israel.

Israel has so far eliminated four cross-border tunnels belonging to the terrorist group.

Israel underscored the fact that the terror group dug the tunnels in order to infiltrate the country and carry out attacks. Hezbollah has not commented on the operation.