IDF Holds Dozens of Hezbollah Militants Trapped in Southern Lebanon Underground Network

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have recently refrained from publicly discussing the status of dozens of Hezbollah militants trapped in an underground tunnel system in the Ali Taher ridge area of southern Lebanon. According to reports, this silence follows pressure from Iran and mediation by the United States. Israeli officials fear that striking the trapped militants could provoke escalation from Hezbollah and possible Iranian military intervention.

The IDF's Northern Command is closely monitoring the tunnel entrances and estimates that the militants still have supplies including water, food such as dates and canned goods, and medicine. Intelligence assessments suggest the militants could survive for several more weeks. The Northern Command believes the militants face two options: surrender or perish once their supplies run out.

This situation follows an operation several weeks ago when Israeli forces surrounded the tunnel system near the village of Tibnine, about four kilometers southeast of Nabatieh, after precise intelligence from the Military Intelligence Directorate and Northern Command pinpointed its location. The IDF quickly sealed the tunnel entrances. During the standoff, messages were relayed to Israel through intermediaries requesting safe passage for the militants. A security official quoted by Walla News stated Israel's response was unequivocal: "Surrender or die in the underground system."