IDF Claims Destruction of Hezbollah Tunnels, Eliminating Galilee Invasion Threat

A senior Israeli military source told i24NEWS that the Israeli army has destroyed Hezbollah's extensive tunnel network, thereby eliminating the threat of Hezbollah invading Israel's northern Galilee region. The source described the dismantling of the tunnel infrastructure, particularly in the area of Ali Al-Taher hill, as a significant military achievement. Hezbollah had spent years developing these tunnels as part of various plans, including a potential invasion of the Galilee. The military has been systematically destroying this network in recent months, discovering hundreds, possibly thousands, of tunnels and tunnel openings. In Ali Al-Taher, the army found a command and control center, along with weapons, drones, and anti-aircraft missiles. The source emphasized that while the tunnels served as a defensive weapon for Hezbollah fighters and equipment, they were also integral to the group's offensive strategies. Although there was some coordination with the Lebanese army, the destruction operations were carried out by the Israeli army, specifically by engineering units like Yahalom and the 36th Division. The source stated that Israeli forces did not encounter any Iranian personnel in Ali Al-Taher, but acknowledged that Iran was responsible for the planning, funding, and construction of the tunnels. Hezbollah fighters engaged Israeli forces fiercely in the area, but the military ultimately cleared the site and entered all the tunnels. The source noted that while tunnels found outside Ali Al-Taher were linked to civilian infrastructure, with 95% connected to homes, indicating Hezbollah's use of civilians, no such connections were found within the hill itself. Regarding potential redeployment and negotiations with Lebanon, the source stated the army is prepared to remain in position, advance further into Lebanon, or reposition according to political decisions. Comparing the tunnels to those in Gaza, the source highlighted that Gaza tunnels were more complex, longer, and more branched, with some reaching tens of kilometers, whereas southern Lebanon tunnels were shorter, less branched, and did not exceed one kilometer in length.