UNIFIL, Lebanese Army Discover Hezbollah Tunnel, Munitions in South Lebanon

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces have discovered a 50-meter Hezbollah tunnel near the southern Lebanese town of Al-Qusayr, along with several unexploded ordnances. The findings were handed over to the Lebanese army in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates that the area between the Litani River and the Blue Line remain free of unauthorized armed personnel and weapons. This discovery is part of ongoing efforts by UNIFIL and the Lebanese army to monitor and maintain stability in southern Lebanon following a U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that began in November 2024. Israel has recently conducted strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including weapon depots and a rocket launcher, citing violations of the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, tensions persist as Israel maintains military posts near the border and has fired illumination shells into Lebanese border areas. The UN Security Council is currently reviewing a French-drafted resolution to extend UNIFIL’s peacekeeping mandate, with some opposition from Israel and the United States regarding the length of the renewal.