Israel to destroy Hezbollah cross-border tunnels

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Israel announced on Tuesday it had begun an operation to expose and thwart cross-border attack tunnels from Lebanon dug by the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Twitter on Tuesday, "We have just launched Operation Northern Shield to expose and neutralize cross-border attack tunnels dug by Hezbollah from Lebanon to Israel."

The defense forces said the tunnels were not yet operational but posed an imminent threat to Israeli civilians, and constituted a flagrant and severe violation of Israeli sovereignty. They did not disclose how many tunnels there were or how long the operation would last.

IDF Spokesperson Ronen Manelis, cited by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, said Israel had indisputable proof that the Lebanese government is not in control of their border and Iranian money is behind these tunnels.

Israeli military personnel works next to the border with Lebanon, Mutela, northern Israel, December 4, 2018. /VCG Photo

Hezbollah has not responded to the military operation yet.

Last night, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled unexpectedly to Brussels to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The purpose of the meeting is purportedly to brief Secretary Pompeo on the tunnel operation.

The two discussed "ways to halt together Iranian aggression in the region," including in Lebanon.

Source(s): AP ,Reuters