IDF Details Complex Operation to Destroy Hezbollah Tunnel Network in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed new details on Friday about one of the most complex operations conducted since the war began, culminating in the destruction of a vast Hezbollah tunnel system on the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. Senior IDF officers described the operation as lasting approximately four months, involving deception tactics against Hezbollah, prolonged fighting against dozens of militants entrenched underground, and efforts to prevent escalation into a direct conflict with Iran.

The IDF is now redeploying forces near the Beaufort, aiming to prevent Hezbollah from breaching the "blue line," the border demarcation. According to military officials, while Hezbollah anticipated an IDF advance towards the Litani River, forces from the 36th Division executed a diversionary maneuver, opening a route towards the river and approaching the tunnel complex from the rear, catching the organization by surprise.

IDF assessment indicates that the destroyed complex was Hezbollah's most significant stronghold in southern Lebanon, second only to its command center in Beirut's Dahieh neighborhood, which has also been heavily damaged. Following the capture of the Beaufort area, the operation shifted north to the Ali Taher ridge, where for three months, IDF forces engaged dozens of Hezbollah operatives under the constant threat of explosive drones. Approximately 50 militants were estimated to be in the complex, with most eliminated during the fighting, though the exact number of escapees remains unknown.

Some militants were killed while attempting to flee the tunnels, encountering soldiers from the Egoz unit in close-quarters combat. As part of the preparation for the massive demolition, which involved destroying over 5,000 meters of tunnels using 1,100 tons of explosives, soldiers from the Egoz and Maglan units manually placed hundreds of tons of explosives within the tunnels. Subsequently, the elite Yahalom engineering unit entered the tunnels, risking their lives, and discovered significant weaponry, including missiles, drones, RPGs, and other Hezbollah equipment.

The IDF stated that Hezbollah abandoned its operatives in the area and that the entire region is now devoid of the organization's infrastructure. They also confirmed that the IDF has not withdrawn from the security zone in southern Lebanon and issued a warning: "Anyone who approaches the blue line will be fired upon." Additionally, the IDF is reorganizing to control fire along the Mahoube perimeter, which could serve as leverage in negotiations with the Lebanese government. Before the tunnels' destruction, Major General Yiftah Nurkin, commander of the 36th Division, commended his troops for executing one of the most complex operations ever, conducted under the command of the Northern Corps, involving both above-ground and underground combat against various threats.