Lebanon Postpones Peace Talks with Israel After Hezbollah Stronghold Destruction

Lebanon has requested a delay in the upcoming round of peace negotiations with Israel, which were scheduled to take place in Rome this week. The postponement is reportedly due to the Israeli military's destruction of a significant Hezbollah underground fortress located beneath the Al-Tahir mountain range and the elimination of dozens of militants who had been sheltering within its tunnels. Despite this development, Israel's Ambassador to the U.S., Yehiel Leiter, is still expected to meet with his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamdan, at the U.S. State Department this week.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, David Hale, stated in an interview that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is determined to disarm Hezbollah, emphasizing Aoun's history of confronting armed groups that challenge state authority. Hale believes Aoun sees the country's stability as dependent on removing Iranian influence and ending Hezbollah's status as an independent armed force.

Last week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the completion of operations to dismantle the underground infrastructure under Al-Tahir. The IDF reported that the tunnels destroyed on September 10th extended over two kilometers. However, Israeli media, citing military sources, indicated the entire system comprised eight fortified underground routes totaling over 5.4 kilometers, requiring more than 1,100 tons of explosives for their destruction. The IDF described these facilities as some of Hezbollah's deepest and most strategically important underground assets in southern Lebanon.

Constructed over approximately 20 years with Iranian funding and technical assistance, the complex housed the central command post for Hezbollah's "Badr" unit, responsible for much of southern Lebanon. The tunnels contained operational headquarters, weapons storage, generators, living quarters, and a kitchen, enabling militants to operate and direct combat for extended periods. The IDF characterized the complex as a "nerve center" for the Badr unit. Dozens of rockets, Iranian-made drones, machine guns, anti-tank missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, mines, and explosive devices were found within the structures. The IDF claims Hezbollah used this complex to manage operations during "Arrows of the North," "Roar of the Lion," and the current conflict.

The Al-Tahir mountain range, standing about 600 meters high, overlooks the surrounding area and roads leading to the Nabatieh region. Hezbollah had positioned command facilities and heavy weaponry there due to its strategic vantage point. Last week, the IDF declared operational control over the area, both above and below ground, marking a key phase in establishing control over the designated security zone in southern Lebanon.