Hezbollah Downplays Israeli Operation in Southern Lebanon; Critics Say Image Damaged

Hezbollah is attempting to minimize the significance of the Israeli military's control and destruction of infrastructure and tunnels in the Al-Taher mountain range in southern Lebanon. However, an opposition Lebanese political source told Kan News that losing the area is a blow to the group's image and standing within Lebanon.

According to the report, Hezbollah MP Ehab Hamadeh stated that even if the Israeli claims of control and destruction are true, it is "not a catastrophe," reflecting the group's efforts to downplay the battlefield developments. Hezbollah is reportedly engaging minimally with the Israeli announcement of clearing Al-Taher, suggesting Israeli media is exaggerating the event into a military achievement.

Conversely, the opposition source described Hezbollah as "stumbling" in its response, asserting that the loss of Al-Taher damages the group not only due to the military infrastructure lost but also its internal image. The source argued that this development undermines Hezbollah's narrative of protecting Lebanon with its weapons, revealing the limitations of this claim to the Lebanese public.

The source also addressed the issue of Israel releasing Lebanese detainees, an event Hezbollah has tried to downplay. The source stated that the release does not compensate for ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Hezbollah faces embarrassment because these Lebanese were arrested due to the conflict with Israel, yet the Lebanese state secured their release, which the source believes weakens Hezbollah's influence and standing.

Kan News previously reported that the IDF was preparing for sensitive days on the northern front after completing the clearing of two Hezbollah underground routes in the Al-Taher range. The Israeli security establishment announced operational control over the area, above and below ground, with ongoing operations to neutralize and destroy tunnels. Israel is considering potential retaliation from Hezbollah or Iran amid escalating tensions on the northern front.