Operation Northern Shield
The Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Northern Shield to expose and neutralize cross-border attack tunnels that Hezbollah dug from Lebanon into Israel. Just hours into the operation our troops exposed and neutralized a 600 foot Hezbollah attack tunnel, which began under a civilian building in southern Lebanon, was dug through solid rock, and extended into Israeli territory.
07.12.18
0
The route of the tunnel Hezbollah dug from under a private building in Lebanon into Israeli territory.
Background
2006 - During the Second Lebanon War the IDF was first exposed to Hezbollah’s extensive subterranean infrastructure. At the end of the war UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701 was passed, forbidding armed groups other than the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL from going south of the Litani River and calling for the disarmament of all “armed groups.” Despite this, Hezbollah continued to arm itself and vastly develop their underground tunnel network in Southern Lebanon, preparing it for combat.
2012 - Hezbollah begins developing a plan against Israel.
2013 - While monitoring Hezbollah’s planning and preparation, the IDF asses concerns that Hezbollah is digging near the Blue Line.
2014 - The IDF exposes Hamas terror tunnels infiltrating Israel from the Gaza Strip. Knowing that Hamas and Hezbollah often share knowledge, Israel’s suspicion of a tunnel threat on the northern border is reinforced. Based on this, the IDF forms a technological intelligence taskforce to focus on the underground threat posed by Hezbollah.
2015 - The IDF expands its defensive efforts in northern Israel.
2016 - Advanced technological instruments are deployed along the Blue Line with the aim of locating and exposing Hezbollah tunnels.
2018 - Israel launches Operation Northern Shield to neutralize the tunnel threat.
The Current Situation
The attack tunnels from Lebanon constitute a threat to Israeli civilians as well as a violation of Israeli sovereignty, even before they were operational. Additionally, the tunnels serve as proof of Hezbollah’s blatant violation of Israel’s sovereignty and UNSC Resolution 1701.
These tunnels send a clear message as to the true priorities of the terrorist organization Hezbollah. In doing this, Hezbollah has also put its goal of Israel’s destruction before the safety of Lebanese civilians.
In response to Hezbollah’s Iran-backed terror activity along the border, we have enhanced our presence in the Northern Command and are ready to protect Israeli civilians from Hezbollah.
Inside the Hezbollah tunnel that the IDF neutralized on 12/04/2018
