MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to Lebanese daily As-Safir, Hezbollah was placing its rocket arsenal along the northern border with Israel and tracking the movements of the Israeli army.
The newspaper reported that the group was building several "sophisticated" tunnels on the border with Israel following the example of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas, which had reportedly built several tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Hezbollah, established in the 1980s, is a paramilitary and political organization originating in Lebanon's Shiite population. The group initially aimed to end Israel's occupation of Southern Lebanon. On May 25, 2000, Israel withdrew from Lebanon, which Hezbollah widely saw as its victory.
In 2006, a 34-day military conflict started between Hezbollah paramilitary forces and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The conflict ended as a UN-brokered ceasefire took effect, and Israel lifted its naval blockade of Lebanon.
