Netanyahu Boasts of Lebanon Destruction, Threatens Harsher Strikes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday boasted about the extensive damage caused by Israeli bombings in the Al-Taher hills in southern Lebanon. He declared that Israel would continue to destroy what it describes as "terrorist infrastructure" in what it calls the "security zone" within Lebanese territory, and threatened Israel's enemies with "harsher blows" if they attack again.

Netanyahu's remarks followed the broadcast of a Lebanese commentary, shared by the Israeli military, which described the Al-Taher hill bombings as signaling "the end of the project" represented by Hezbollah, and that the party was "militarily finished in Lebanon." The commentary originated from a Lebanese television channel affiliated with the Lebanese Forces party. Netanyahu claimed Israel had achieved "another tremendous victory over Hezbollah," asserting that it had destroyed its "major terrorist stronghold" in the Al-Qal'a and Al-Taher hills.

He alleged that Hezbollah's military infrastructure in Al-Taher was not aimed at the Galilee and the occupied Syrian Golan, but rather served as an advanced command post within the party's plan to occupy the Galilee. Netanyahu added that the Israeli army had confiscated "huge quantities of weapons" from tunnels he claimed were funded by Iran. He also stated that Israel recently blew up a Hezbollah command center in the area, showcasing before-and-after images of Al-Taher hill to highlight the scale of destruction.

"Our policy is clear: we will continue to destroy terrorist infrastructure in the security zone in Lebanon, and we will continue to remove any threat to the State of Israel," Netanyahu stated. Addressing Israel's adversaries, he warned, "If you haven't learned the lesson yet and decide to attack us again, you will receive harsher blows." He indicated that "there is more work to be done, and we will complete it."

These statements come amid conflicting reports regarding the future of the Al-Taher hills. A Lebanese military source denied plans for the Lebanese army to enter the area, stating only that patrols were being intensified. Israeli Channel 12 had previously reported that Israel was considering allowing the Lebanese army into Al-Taher following its troop redeployment. However, Israeli Public Broadcasting (Kan 11) claimed a "limited withdrawal" from Al-Taher after destroying Hezbollah tunnels, with the future of Israeli deployment still under discussion. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had threatened to "eliminate" anyone approaching Al-Taher, indicating continued military action in the region.

The Israeli military carried out a large-scale bombing in Al-Taher on Thursday, targeting over two kilometers of Hezbollah tunnels and military infrastructure. Al-Taher hill, situated between the towns of Kfar Tibnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, is strategically important due to its elevation and oversight of southern Lebanon. These developments occur amidst the ongoing implementation of the "Framework Agreement" between Lebanon and Israel, brokered by the US, which stipulates a gradual Israeli withdrawal synchronized with the deployment of the Lebanese army.