IDF surrounds Hezbollah fighters in Tebnit as fears rise of possible kidnapping attempt

Amid growing concerns over a potential kidnapping attempt in southern Lebanon, Israeli security officials said Tuesday that senior officials reviewed the situation involving dozens of Hezbollah terrorists trapped in the village of Tebnit.The IDF recently succeeded in cornering dozens of Hezbollah terrorists in an underground complex in Tebnit. Shortly thereafter, troops managed to seal off the entrances to the underground system, and messages were subsequently relayed to Israel through various mediating parties in an effort to secure the safe exit of those inside.According to a security source, “Israel's response to all mediating parties was clear: surrender or be killed inside the underground system.”Additional sources involved in the details of the negotiations told Walla that under the current ceasefire framework, the militants have the option to surrender to the IDF, but at this stage, they are choosing to remain inside the underground system“Things can change in an instant, but until then, it is important to understand that Israel sees significance in an effective model that will enable the demilitarization of the area from militants and Hezbollah terror infrastructure. Therefore, the focus is on a pilot program,” a source familiar with the details told Walla.The source added that a similar scenario previously unfolded with Hamas operatives who were trapped in Rafah, and who ultimately were forced to emerge and either fight or surrender.Concern that Hezbollah will take IDF soldiers hostage to negotiate for their trapped comradesMeanwhile, concern is rising among Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon that Radwan Force operatives in the area, who are currently avoiding direct confrontations and close-range engagements with Israeli troops, may attempt to identify an operational opportunity on the ground and carry out a kidnapping attack against IDF soldiers in order to facilitate negotiations.Troops on the ground have been briefed and instructed to move in pairs or groups of three at all times, and to ensure rapid coordination between air and ground forces in the event of an attempted attack or assault on a tank, armored vehicle, jeep, or building.A military source told Walla that “Some of Hezbollah's underground systems in southern Lebanon could be intended to facilitate a kidnapping attack during an assault on IDF soldiers and assist in escape or holding captives.” The source emphasized that most of the entrances to the underground systems are camouflaged and difficult to locate.