IDF Chief Warns Hezbollah Defeated, Vows Immediate Strikes on Any Threats from Lebanon

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir conducted a dramatic operational briefing on Sunday at the heart of Hezbollah's underground strongholds in the Bofor Ridge area, a strategic base used by the group for decades. Accompanied by Northern Command Chief Major General Rafi Milo and commanders of divisions and special units, Zamir toured the complex tunnel network carved deep into the mountain, which served as command centers, firing positions, and missile launch sites threatening northern Israeli communities.

Zamir declared that the IDF now controls key surface areas and the underground passages beneath the ridge. He emphasized that Hezbollah, supported and financed by Iran, has built this threat over many years but is now exhausted and defeated in every encounter with Israeli forces. The IDF's ongoing operations by Division 36 aim to deepen the clearing of this extensive tunnel system, which recent intelligence revealed includes maps funded by the Iranian regime showing detailed plans to target Israeli towns such as Metula and the western Galilee.

The tunnels represent a strategic asset designed to enable Hezbollah to conduct warfare from underground while shielding itself from airstrikes. Zamir issued a clear demand to the Lebanese government and army to fulfill their obligations under the historic ceasefire agreement by removing Hezbollah militants from the area. He warned that the IDF is prepared to launch rapid counterattacks if the ceasefire is violated, stating, "Any threat against our forces or communities will be immediately attacked and eliminated."

Zamir praised the soldiers of Division 36 and Northern Command for their offensive operations, including crossing the Litani River and surprising the enemy. He noted that the recent capture of the Bofor fortress, marked by raising the Israeli flag over its ruins, is a significant milestone in the current conflict, delivering a severe blow to Hezbollah's morale. Concurrently, forces from the Givati Brigade under Division 36 command neutralized militants attempting to launch explosive drones at Israeli troops north of the Litani. The IDF continues its campaign to destroy terrorist infrastructure and prevent threats against its soldiers in the region.