The IDF also stated that Hezbollah prevents Christian civilians from fleeing combat zones and “has even fired at them” in the past.

The IDF uncovered a Hezbollah tunnel stocked with weapons near a church in southern Lebanon, the military announced on Friday, emphasizing the threat the terrorist organization poses to Lebanon’s Christian population.

The tunnel was discovered by the IDF’s Givati Brigade in the Lebanese village of El-Khiam. The area had previously been cleared by the IDF in December 2024. Therein, three shafts were discovered, as well as mattresses and food used by Hezbollah terrorists.

“Since the establishment of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, it has systematically worked to exploit the Christian population in Lebanon and turn their areas into battle arenas against Israel,” the IDF stated.

The military added that Hezbollah has turned Christian villages into “battle arenas,” describing such moves as an attempt by the organization to “take control” of the areas while endangering the lives of the local population and damaging their property.

IDF: Hezbollah prevents Christians from fleeing combat zones

The IDF also said that Hezbollah prevents Christian civilians from fleeing combat zones and has even fired upon them in their attempts to escape, further endangering their lives.

The use of church grounds for military purposes “constitutes a violation of international law” and “directly endangers the local population,” the military emphasized.

IDF: Shayetet 13 finds weapons, UNHCR markings in El-Khiam school

In addition to the tunnel discovery, the IDF announced that, on Friday, Israeli commando unit Shayetet 13 had discovered “hundreds of weapons” inside an El-Khiam school, with UNHCR markings found alongside the weapons.

The weapons included anti-tank rockets, mortar shells, grenades, launchers, light firearms, explosive devices, explosive materials, and explosive device mechanisms.

The IDF has intensified operations in the village of El-Khiam over the past week. The IDF told Israeli outlet Walla on Wednesday that the area has been used by Hezbollah for terror purposes for over twenty years.

The village’s topographical position and proximity to Israel make it a strategic location for the terror organization, the report noted, adding that bulldozers had entered the village in previous days to demolish terror infrastructure.

In addition, El-Khiam is a strategic point that controls the main traffic routes in southern Lebanon, the IDF told Walla at the time, leading Hezbollah commanders to choose the location for underground infrastructure, including bunkers, weapons depots, and headquarters near civilians who are supposed to serve as human shields.

Walla further quoted IDF officers operating in the area saying the Lebanese army “lied to the IDF” about its progress in disarming Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, stressing that the terror organization has reestablished itself in the region.

“They shared intelligence and reports on entire regions, but based on what we found, it’s clear that nothing was done,” one IDF officer told the outlet.