IDF Discovers and Destroys Hezbollah Weapons in Southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Tuesday that forces from Division 91 have located and destroyed a significant cache of Hezbollah weaponry in the security zone of southern Lebanon. The discovered arms included guided anti-tank missiles, rocket launchers, grenades, explosives, Kalashnikov rifles, vests, uniforms, and helmets. The operation involved combat teams from brigades 769, 4, and 55, working to clear the area of terrorist infrastructure and weapons.

The IDF stated that Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure was found embedded within civilian structures. The military reiterated its commitment to preventing Hezbollah from harming Israeli civilians and forces, and to upholding the ceasefire agreement. "The IDF will not allow Hezbollah to harm Israeli civilians and its forces, and will continue to operate to remove threats and remain committed to the ceasefire agreement," a spokesperson said.

This operation follows Israel's communication to the United States last week that a pilot program in southern Lebanon had failed. Israel expressed dissatisfaction with the Lebanese army's actions, or lack thereof, in combating Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure and operatives in the region. Security sources indicated that the Lebanese army has not destroyed identified terrorist infrastructure despite receiving coordinates from the IDF, while simultaneously requesting more coordinates without taking effective action.

IDF officials criticized the Lebanese army's performance, deeming it ineffective against Hezbollah's infrastructure. Senior IDF officials estimate that Iran, a key supporter of Hezbollah, is currently preoccupied with its own survival and is not actively assisting the organization. Furthermore, the IDF believes that the Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Joseph Aoun, continues to cooperate with Hezbollah, fears confrontation with the group's commanders in southern Lebanon, and is ineffective in searching for and locating terrorist infrastructure and weaponry.