IDF Yahalom Unit Details Destruction of Hezbollah Tunnel Complex in Lebanon
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- IDF forces destroyed a large Hezbollah tunnel complex in Lebanon.
- The operation involved extensive intelligence gathering and meticulous planning.
- The tunnels were approximately two kilometers long and equipped for long-term stays.
- 450 tons of explosives were used to demolish the complex.
- The destruction is seen as a significant blow to Hezbollah's capabilities and morale.
Just before Rosh Hashanah, Israeli forces successfully destroyed a significant tunnel complex belonging to Hezbollah in the Ali Taher ridge area of Lebanon. The operation, codenamed "Operation "Roaring Lion"", was the culmination of months of intelligence gathering and meticulous planning by the IDF's Yahalom combat engineering unit. According to Captain T., Deputy Intelligence Officer of the Yahalom Unit, the intelligence indicated that the tunnel was a large-scale project, potentially serving as a long-term base for terrorists, funded by Iran and estimated to cost millions of dollars. The tunnels, which extended for approximately two kilometers, were found to be equipped with living quarters, food, water, and significant weaponry.
The operation involved several stages, beginning with extensive intelligence collection to map the tunnel's structure, length, width, and contents. This phase aimed to create a comprehensive theoretical understanding of the complex. Once a "window of opportunity" arose, the intelligence focus shifted to micro-tactical details, including any recent changes within the tunnels. The IDF discovered the tunnels were larger than anticipated, designed for extended stays, and comprised an underground network resembling an "office complex" rather than a simple tactical feature.
Following the intelligence gathering and planning, IDF armored forces approached the tunnel. Hezbollah operatives reportedly abandoned the site, leaving behind valuable equipment and supplies. The Yahalom unit then entered the complex, mapping its internal layout, including branching passages, living areas, and weapon caches. Engineers from the unit, working with various partners, determined the precise amount and placement of explosives needed for the destruction.
On April 28th, the final stage, the "boom," was executed. Approximately 450 tons of explosives were detonated, destroying the roughly two-kilometer-long tunnel system located about 10 kilometers from the Israeli border. The IDF views the destruction as a significant blow to Hezbollah's operational capabilities and morale, demonstrating that years of investment in such infrastructure can be rendered useless by a targeted operation.
