Israel launches an operation to destroy Hezbollah's tunnels

Military spokesman: they are "attack tunnels" not yet operational, whose number remains secret. The operations take place in Israeli territory, but are destined to raise tension with the pro-Iranian Shiite movement. In recent days, Hezbollah bases hit in Syria, near Damascus.


Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - This morning the Israeli army announced that it had identified - and started the destruction operations - on some tunnels dug by Hezbollah, which would have allowed entry into its territory from neighboring Lebanon. Jonathan Conricus, army spokesman reported that these were  "attack tunnels" that were not yet operational.

The Israeli Army spokesman did not want to specify how many tunnels have been identified and which modes will be used for their destruction. He added that all operations will take place within its territory, but appear to be intended to raise tension with the Lebanese, Shiite and pro-Iranian political-military movement with which Israel fought a devastating war in 2006.

"We launched the Operation Northern Shield - said Conricus - to shed light on and destroy the tunnels used for cross-border attacks, excavated by the terrorist organization Hezbollah from Lebanon to Israel". An operation that came just a few hours after the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Brussels. During the face to face the Prime Minister spoke of "steps" to be taken to "block the aggression of Iran and its affiliates in the north", with reference to Syria and Lebanon.

In recent days, Israel had attacked the most important Hezbollah base in Syria, in the town of Kiswah (near Damascus). Some missiles were shot down by the Russian-made Syrian anti-aircraft defense; others reached the base - even if the government denies - causing damage to the structure. Among the targets affected there was also be a rocket depot near the border between Lebanon and Syria.