UN Representative: Peacekeepers Denied Access to Secret Tunnels in Lebanon

While UN officials claim that the secret tunnels built from Lebanon to Israel violate the ceasefire between the two sides, the UN representative in the Middle East states that observers have not been allowed access to these tunnels. The Israeli army launched an operation named 'Northern Shield' in mid-December to 'discover and destroy' the secret tunnels along the Lebanese border. Two weeks later, the issue of the tunnels was brought to the UN Security Council, with the Israeli Prime Minister describing them as 'Hezbollah's act of war' against his country. Nikolai Mladenov, the UN representative for the Middle East, stated on January 22 during a UN Security Council meeting that peacekeepers in Lebanon (known as UNIFIL) have confirmed the existence of two tunnels. Mladenov mentioned that these two tunnels cross the 'Blue Line,' the border established by the UN between Lebanon and Israel. He added, 'However, we have not been granted access to the confirmed entrance of one of the tunnels near Kafr Kila in Lebanon.' Kafr Kila is located in southeastern Lebanon and is one of the areas where Hezbollah has forces and ammunition. Israeli media had reported months ago that the first tunnel discovered by the Israeli army was dug from this village. Media outlets close to Hezbollah and Iran, its main supporter, state that Hassan Nasrallah, the group's leader, has refrained from commenting on the tunnels. Mladenov did not specify whether the Lebanese government or Hezbollah was responsible for blocking access to the tunnels. Jonathan Cohen, the head of the US diplomatic mission at the UN, has held the Lebanese government accountable. Cohen described Hezbollah as a threat to global peace and security, stating, 'We ask UNIFIL to maintain control over the Blue Line. However, it is unacceptable that the Lebanese government has not yet allowed observers access to the tunnels.' The Israeli ambassador to the UN also stated that the Lebanese army has not reacted to Hezbollah and has effectively allowed the construction of the tunnels to continue. Mladenov reminded that Lebanon has not had a government for eight months. He urged all parties to set aside their differences so that the country can 'finally address its problems.' The Israeli army has confirmed the discovery and destruction of six tunnels along the Blue Line so far. The Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel was established by the UN in 2000. UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping forces stationed in Lebanon, were deployed to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 1987.