The IDF issued a clear message Tuesday to Hezbollah and Lebanese soldiers, according to which anyone who approaches the terror tunnels that were dug is endangering his life.

IDF Spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned on Twitter against approaching the tunnel route that had been dug into Israel: "Your life is in danger, you have been warned."

IDF Spokesperson Ronen Manelis told Hadashot news agency that "What we are seeing is an operation we have been preparing for a long time with a very long battle procedure being conducted by Northern Command. The idea is to expose the tunnels and neutralize them before they are an immediate threat to the residents of the north" .

"We are currently at one focal point at Metula, but it will expand in the coming days and hours along the fence. In the coming hours and days we will reveal things that were found during the operation."

The IDF spokesman clarified: "The operation will be along the entire fence, from Metula to the sea - at all points where our technology and operational capabilities point to the Hezbollah tunnel project."

Colonel Manelis responded to the claims made by residents of the north that tunnels have been dug in recent years. "I can say that every complaint that came up in the north was checked and ruled out. Even when the tunnel picture was revealed, I do not think there was necessarily a correlation between the places where noises were heard and the tunnels. We relate seriously to every complaint from residents.”

The IDF spokesman explained why the engineering operation has been kept secret until now. "In the past year, what guided us was to launch the operation by surprise. The surprise with which we catch the Hezbollah terror organization and the Lebanese government was the required achievement, and therefore we did not talk about the threat."

"We are calling for full routine. We have been in contact with the heads of local authorities since last night. The IDF is here with reinforced forces and we know how to deal with every event as it develops," Manelis said.