Israel Declares 'Security Zone' in Lebanon After Tunnel Network Destruction

The Israeli military conducted a series of explosions and shelling in southern Lebanon on Friday, including the detonation of a school in the town of al-Mansouri. Israeli forces also withdrew from the al-Taher heights after destroying what they described as a two-kilometer-long Hezbollah tunnel network.

Following the operation, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the establishment of a "security zone" stretching from the coast to Mount Hermon, stating, "We are on alert to continue the campaign and continue attacking Hezbollah and other places." He added that Israel is prepared to defend its towns at all costs and will respond forcefully to any attacks.

Israeli military chief of staff Eyal Zamir visited the area on Friday, emphasizing the destruction of Hezbollah's underground infrastructure, which he called "the main infrastructure for Hezbollah's command, control, and combat, established with Iranian support." He noted that advanced Iranian weapons were found within the sites and warned that "every village where terrorist infrastructure is established... exposes itself to danger."

Zamir also stated that the Lebanese army must demonstrate effectiveness on the ground, otherwise, "it will be impossible to move forward with the agreement" between Israel and Lebanon. He asserted that the Blue Line remains under Israel's full control.

According to Israeli military radio, approximately 50 militants were killed after refusing to surrender. The operation to seize the al-Taher heights, which lasted about three months, was kept secret to prevent a reaction from Hezbollah and Iran. The Israeli military also claimed to have intercepted drone-delivered supplies intended for the militants.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously described the al-Taher tunnels as "the largest Iranian site outside Iran." The al-Taher heights, located north of the Litani River, offer a strategic vantage point over southern Lebanon. These actions occur despite a framework agreement signed in June, which stipulated a gradual Israeli withdrawal in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army.