Hezbollah fighters trapped underground as fighting continues in southern Lebanon

At the direction of Israel’s political echelon, the IDF halted fire in Lebanon during the Sabbath, and airstrikes north of the yellow line were stopped for now. Even so, operations continue inside the line, especially around the village of Taybe, which has become the main combat zone in southern Lebanon in recent hours.

The focus is a large Hezbollah underground complex in the area of the Ali Tahar ridge and Beaufort. Israeli security officials believe it is one of Hezbollah’s flagship facilities in southern Lebanon, with tunnels, underground chambers, living positions, and command-and-control points. Israel also assesses that the underground headquarters of Hezbollah’s “Bader” sector is operating there.

Fighting above and below ground has taken place there in recent hours, as IDF forces close in on the militants still inside and block them from leaving the compound. Israeli estimates put the number of Hezbollah fighters trapped in the underground site at about 30.

The IDF considers the site especially important, which is why the operation there is continuing even after the decision to pause attacks north of the yellow line. Security officials say exposure of the facility and the military pressure around it are part of the reason for the heavy pressure now aimed at reaching a ceasefire. Israel says the firing pause does not apply to actions meant to remove an immediate threat to troops or dismantle terror infrastructure within the area where the IDF is operating.