"Based on the UN’s independent assessment, the peacekeepers have so far confirmed the existence of all four tunnels close to the Blue Line in Northern Israel," Dujarric said, referring to the UN-drawn line of demarcation between Israel and Lebanon. "UNIFIL at this stage can confirm that two of the tunnels cross the Blue Line."
The UN spokesman emphasized that the presence of cross-border tunnels is "a matter of serious concern," adding that UNIFIL has demanded that the Lebanese government respond to the violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls on both sides to respect the Blue Line and implement a full cessation of hostilities.
READ MORE: Israeli Troops Discover Fourth Hezbollah Tunnel as Military Op Under Way
In late November, the Israeli army launched an operation, dubbed Northern Shield, to expose and neutralize cross-border attack tunnels that Hezbollah dug from Lebanon into Israel.
Israel views Hezbollah’s presence in Lebanon and Syria as a threat to its national security and accuses Iran, its main rival in the region, of backing it.
