IDF Destroys Hezbollah's Southern Lebanon Underground Infrastructure

The Israeli military announced Thursday the destruction of Hezbollah's underground infrastructure in the Al-Taher mountain range in southern Lebanon, releasing new footage from the Beaufort mountain range. The operation involved destroying over two kilometers of tunnels using approximately 1,100 tons of explosives. A joint statement from the Prime Minister and Defense Minister indicated that this infrastructure, built over two decades with Iranian funding and guidance, was intended as a base for Hezbollah to conquer the Galilee and control observation and fire towards Metula and Kiryat Shmona.

Israeli forces had surrounded the area in recent months, increasing pressure on the tunnels and the militants entrenched within. IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Efraim Daffin stated that all militants in the facilities were either eliminated or fled. "Alongside the achievements and completion of the mission, the fighting took a heavy toll on us," Daffin added. "In the battles to conquer and clear the range, our fighters, the best of our sons, fell. We completed the mission, and these achievements are first and foremost theirs."

Following the destruction of the infrastructure, the IDF raised its alert levels, both defensively and offensively, due to threats from Iran and Hezbollah to retaliate for the operation. The military stated that forces would remain in the area to prevent Hezbollah's return and the rebuilding of its capabilities.

The operation occurred shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration at the Western Wall, where he stated, "President Trump announced this evening that Iran is trying to re-arm with nuclear weapons, this is true." He asserted that after Israel destroyed Iran's immediate capability to produce nuclear bombs, they are trying again. Netanyahu pledged that as long as he is Prime Minister, Iran will not possess nuclear weapons, adding, "At the same time, we are striking the Iranian axis, not only very hard in the Gaza Strip, but also in Lebanon, we destroyed the Beaufort mountain range and are now dealing with Al-Taher mountain range."