IDF Givati Brigade has uncovered a reactivated Hezbollah tunnel network beneath a church in Khiam. Scans revealed three newly dug shafts that indicate the infrastructure was renewed during the 2024–2026 ceasefire period. Footage released by the IDF shows soldiers inspecting concrete-lined underground passages alongside views of the church exterior, confirming the strategic reuse of civilian structures for militant operations.

The site had previously been cleared by the IDF in December 2024, highlighting Hezbollah’s ongoing practice of embedding military infrastructure within religious and civilian locations. Analysts note that such tactics exploit the protections afforded to civilian sites under international law while allowing the group to maintain operational readiness in contested areas. Similar discoveries by the Lebanese Army in late 2025 reinforce the persistence of these concealment methods.

The reactivation of tunnels beneath Khiam underscores the fragile nature of ceasefire agreements requiring disarmament south of the Litani River. By continuing to maintain underground networks, Hezbollah demonstrates its capacity to resume offensive and defensive operations despite formal truce obligations. The IDF maintains that neutralizing such tunnels is essential to securing Israel’s northern border.

Military experts emphasize the tactical advantages provided by subterranean networks, which allow militants to move personnel and weapons undetected while complicating countermeasures. The Givati Brigade’s discovery illustrates the importance of ongoing intelligence and ground surveillance in identifying and mitigating these threats. The use of civilian structures increases operational challenges for conventional forces seeking to balance security objectives with minimizing collateral damage.

The Khiam tunnel incident contributes to the broader narrative of the 2026 Lebanon conflict, highlighting Hezbollah’s asymmetric warfare strategies. The IDF’s continued focus on uncovering and dismantling such networks aims to degrade the group’s operational capabilities and prevent the exploitation of civilian sites for military purposes. Observers expect further searches in southern Lebanese towns where similar tunnels may exist.