IDF Destroys Hezbollah's Underground Infrastructure in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli military announced on Tuesday the destruction of Hezbollah's underground infrastructure in the Al-Taher mountain range in southern Lebanon. Over 1,100 tons of explosives were used to demolish two tunnels, totaling more than two kilometers in length, located beneath Al-Taher. The IDF stated that these tunnels served as the "nerve center" for Hezbollah's regional brigade responsible for the area north of the Litani River. The military described the facility as "strategic infrastructure built over two decades," funded and designed by Iran.

During the operation, Israeli forces discovered dozens of Iranian-made rockets, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles within the tunnels, alongside weapons, anti-tank missiles, and hundreds of mines and other explosives. The IDF reported that this operation, along with the destruction of a similar network at the Beaufort stronghold, completed the dismantling of a large Hezbollah tunnel system in the Al-Taher area, comprising eight tunnels with an aggregate length of 5.4 kilometers.

In parallel developments, a U.S. State Department official commented on calls from southern Lebanon for the government to assert its sovereignty and prevent Hezbollah from operating within communities. Washington praised these communities and supported the Lebanese government's willingness to address their requests, urging Lebanon to develop a plan for disarmament throughout the country as stipulated in the Tripartite Agreement.

Meanwhile, the next round of indirect talks between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the United States, is scheduled to take place in Rome next week. The two-day discussions will determine whether they commence on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to an Israeli source. Separately, Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense issued an emergency alert for the southwestern cities of Khamis Mushait and Abha.