Israeli security officials are weighing a proposal to hand control of a Hezbollah-held tunnel compound in Tebnit, southern Lebanon, to the Lebanese Army, according to an N12 report on Sunday. The move is being discussed as a potential litmus test for the Lebanese military’s willingness to confront Hezbollah, though officials noted the army has struggled to act against the organization in the past.
What is the status of the Tebnit compound?
The village of Tebnit has become a primary target for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations over the last week. Intelligence estimates indicate that between 30 and 40 Hezbollah fighters are currently operating from within a large underground tunnel network at the site. While IDF forces are positioned above the compound, they have not entered the tunnels, a delay attributed to ongoing ceasefire negotiations involving the United States and Iran, according to N12.
Why is this being considered a test?
Transferring responsibility for the site to the Lebanese Army could serve as a gauge of the institution’s operational capacity. An Israeli source told N12 that the handover would be a “test for the ability and motivation of the Lebanese army to deal publicly and in an unprecedented way with Hezbollah.” Historically, security officials have observed that the Lebanese military has faced significant challenges when attempting to take action against the terror group, the report stated.
What happens next?
The proposal is expected to remain a topic of discussion during upcoming talks scheduled for Tuesday. The destruction of the tunnel network remains a central goal for military forces in the region, according to the IDF. The focus on underground infrastructure follows the IDF’s disclosure on Sunday of a separate, highly fortified compound discovered in Majdal Zoun, located roughly 10 kilometers from the Israeli border.
Comparison of Hezbollah infrastructure
The military has identified significant subterranean networks across southern Lebanon, with varying levels of sophistication:
- Tebnit: A large tunnel network currently under IDF surveillance, estimated to house 30 to 40 Hezbollah fighters.
- Majdal Zoun: A recently revealed compound reaching 29 meters underground and stretching over 200 meters in length. It contains 12 rooms, blast doors, four missile launch sites, and hundreds of weapons, according to the IDF.