IDF Destroys Hezbollah's 'Command Center' Tunnel Complex in Southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have successfully destroyed a significant tunnel network belonging to Hezbollah in the Ali Taher mountain range of southern Lebanon. This complex, described by the IDF as Hezbollah's "command center," was reportedly under construction for two decades with Iranian planning and funding. The operation involved months of intense fighting by the 36th Division, including elite units like Shaldag, the Commando Brigade (Egoz and Maglan), and armored forces from the 401st and 7th Brigades.

Soldiers fought for months to overcome approximately 30 Hezbollah militants who had barricaded themselves within two strategic tunnels belonging to Hezbollah's Badr Force. The IDF employed robotic systems, drones, and specialized observation equipment for subterranean operations, alongside weapons systems deployed deep into the tunnels, causing significant damage and casualties, according to estimates. The Ali Taher complex included advanced command rooms, communication and computer systems, a clinic with a surgical room, preparation rooms, and weapons storage.

Hezbollah had considered this tunnel system its last organized defensive line in southern Lebanon. Its destruction is seen as a major shift in the operational landscape, potentially opening new avenues for the IDF towards Beirut and the Beqaa Valley. Hezbollah had apparently hoped for direct Iranian intervention to prevent the fall of the Badr Force, investing significant effort in recent weeks to draw Iran deeper into the conflict.

The IDF managed the operation cautiously, utilizing elite units and specialized engineering capabilities, including the Yahalom unit of the Combat Engineering Corps, known for tackling complex underground infrastructure. The current phase, involving the demolition of the tunnel infrastructure, marks the conclusion of one of the most challenging and protracted battles the IDF has fought against Hezbollah's subterranean network in southern Lebanon.