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. These constitute violations of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701,” the peacekeeping force said in a statement.
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.”
U.N. Resolution 1701 required all armed groups except the Lebanese Armed Forces—the official Lebanese military—to remain north of the Litani River following the end of the 2006 Second Lebanese War.
In early December, the Israel Defense Forces 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.