Israel reports destruction of Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it has destroyed a network of tunnels and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. The operation follows Israel's announcement last week that it had captured the strategic ridge, which is located in the Nabatieh region.

A joint statement issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz described the site as strategic terrorist infrastructure developed over two decades with Iranian funding and planning. The officials stated that the destruction of the tunnels completes Israel's operational control over the ridge, both above and below ground.

According to the Israeli military, the underground complex extended for more than two kilometres. The army reported that the site contained a command centre for Hezbollah’s Badr unit, along with a significant cache of weaponry, including dozens of Iranian-made rockets, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The military also stated that hundreds of mines, explosive devices, and anti-tank missiles were recovered from the tunnels.

Reports regarding the human toll of the operation vary. Israeli military accounts indicate that dozens of bodies of Hezbollah fighters were discovered inside the tunnel network. A military official further noted that while some militants abandoned the area, others were eliminated through a combination of artillery fire and aerial strikes.

The demolition of the tunnels was marked by a series of significant explosions on Thursday evening. Residents and journalists in southern Lebanon reported hearing huge blasts that caused tremors and a powerful rumble across the area.

This operation marks the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military maintains that the destruction of this specific infrastructure is a key component of its broader efforts to dismantle Hezbollah's operational capabilities in the region.