Israel Strikes Hezbollah Tunnels, Warns Iran Amid Regional Tensions

Israel has completed the destruction of eight Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon, a move that has elevated the country's defense and offense readiness, according to an Israeli official speaking to Al-Hadath TV. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the successful operation, which targeted the underground infrastructure in the Ali Taher ridge, completing the organization of the security zone. Israel has reportedly conveyed a message to Hezbollah and Iran, vowing a disproportionate response to any retaliation.

In parallel, Prime Minister Netanyahu, speaking from the Western Wall, reiterated his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating, "As long as I am prime minister, Iran will not have nuclear weapons." This statement comes amid reports from U.S. officials suggesting Iran is resuming nuclear weapon development and ballistic missile production at underground sites, potentially escalating actions against Israel and Gulf states before the U.S. midterm elections in November.

Security forces have also been active on other fronts. The IDF confirmed the elimination of senior Hamas official Farah Hamed in Gaza City. Hamed was a leader of a Hamas cell responsible for several deadly attacks in the West Bank between 2002 and 2003, including the murders of Shalom Har Meir, Esther Galy, and Zvi Goldstein. He was released in the 2011 prisoner exchange for Gilad Shalit and continued to be involved in Hamas's military wing, recruiting and directing operatives for attacks in the West Bank.

Additionally, Israeli forces apprehended an armed Palestinian suspect, Ismail Anqayo, near Ramallah, who was planning an imminent shooting attack. The suspect had been sought for a week. In a separate incident, a missing Israeli man, Yaniv Serdal, who had entered a Palestinian village in the Samaria region, was located safe and sound by security forces after an overnight search involving multiple agencies and specialized units.