A Lebanese soldier was killed and three others sustained injuries on Monday during a mine dismantling operation inside a tunnel in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district. The explosion occurred as an army engineering unit was conducting a field survey in the area, the Lebanese army confirmed in a statement.
“While a specialised army unit was carrying out an engineering survey of a site… a suspicious object exploded, killing a member of the unit and moderately injuring three others,” the army’s statement read.
President Aoun praises army’s efforts in enforcing state authority
President Joseph Aoun stated that the unit had been engaged in dismantling mines and explosive devices inside a tunnel when the explosion occurred.
“Once again, the Lebanese army… is paying the price of extending state authority over the south and achieving stability there by implementing Resolution 1701,” Aoun said in a statement issued by his office.
Incident linked to enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1701
The mine-clearing mission forms part of efforts to uphold United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution mandated the disarmament of non-state armed groups and limited military presence in the south to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping forces.
Following the November truce that largely halted renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanese forces have been attempting to reclaim and secure areas in southern Lebanon. Under the agreement, Hezbollah was expected to withdraw north of the Litani River and dismantle its southern military positions.
Progress on Hezbollah withdrawal and army deployment
Israel has not yet fully withdrawn from southern Lebanon, maintaining its presence in five areas it considers strategic, despite missing the initial deadline of February 18. During the 2006 conflict, the Israeli army identified Hezbollah tunnels and weapons storage in the region.
According to AFP, a source close to Hezbollah revealed on Saturday that the group had handed over around 190 of its 265 military sites south of the Litani River to the Lebanese army.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera quoted President Aoun as stating that Lebanese forces had dismantled tunnels and seized weapons with no resistance from Hezbollah, although full army deployment across the south is still incomplete.
The latest incident underscores the risks faced by the Lebanese army as it continues operations to secure the region and enforce international resolutions amidst a fragile truce and ongoing regional tensions.
