Tel Aviv [Israel], November 20: Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have uncovered a significant weapons cache beneath a schoolyard in southern Lebanon, the military announced on Tuesday. The hidden arsenal, part of an underground Hezbollah facility stretching tens of meters, included rockets, explosive charges, rocket-propelled grenades, and other advanced weaponry.
In addition to the cache, IDF soldiers seized rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, military equipment, and intelligence documents from a nearby building.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the ongoing threat posed by Hezbollah during a speech to the Knesset on Monday night. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to neutralizing the Iran-backed group’s capacity to regain strength.
“To ensure our security in the north, we must systematically carry out operations—not just in response to Hezbollah’s attacks but also to prevent them from strengthening,” Netanyahu said. He noted that even if a ceasefire were established, its durability could not be guaranteed, necessitating proactive measures.
Experts have long pointed out Hezbollah’s strategy of embedding military assets within civilian areas. Sarit Zahavi, founder of the Alma Research Center, explained earlier this year that the group frequently uses residential areas in southern Lebanon for military purposes.
“Every third house in Shi’ite villages in south Lebanon is utilized by Hezbollah for activities like weapons storage, tunnel entrances, or rocket launch sites targeting Israel,” Zahavi stated. Soldiers have even uncovered cruise missiles hidden inside homes, she added.
The discovery comes amid ongoing hostilities following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Hezbollah has intensified its rocket and drone strikes on northern Israeli communities since then, forcing over 68,000 Israeli residents to evacuate. Hezbollah has openly stated that its actions aim to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes.
The situation highlights ongoing violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War and prohibits Hezbollah’s activities south of the Litani River.
The October 7 Hamas attacks resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 252 individuals, including Israelis and foreign nationals. Of the 97 hostages still in captivity, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also retained two Israeli civilians and the remains of two soldiers since 2014.
