Israeli Combat Engineers Uncover and Destroy Hezbollah’s Underground Terror Infrastructure in Southern Lebanon

Israeli combat engineers from Battalion 601, operating under Brigade 401, have been actively dismantling Hezbollah’s terror infrastructure 11 kilometers north of the Israeli border near the village of Beit Yahoun in southern Lebanon. The forces have uncovered numerous weapons caches in residential buildings, including long-range missiles and anti-tank rockets aimed at Israeli territory and IDF maneuvering zones. Battalion commander Lt. Col. Y described the mission as a defensive necessity and a privilege.

Recently, the troops eliminated an armed Hezbollah cell during a raid, with company commander Capt. R detailing the swift identification and neutralization of three militants. The engineers’ primary task remains locating and destroying Hezbollah’s extensive underground facilities, which have been constructed over years. Capt. G, an engineering company commander, emphasized that the longer they operate, the more terror infrastructure they can dismantle, directly impacting Hezbollah’s capabilities.

Among the discoveries was a concrete factory that concealed a significant underground Hezbollah command post. Capt. Y, commander of the heavy equipment company, explained that the site, previously attacked but still operational, contained computers and weapons. The IDF planned to demolish the command center with tens of tons of explosives, ensuring no terror infrastructure threatening Israeli civilians remains intact.

Lt. Col. B, deputy commander of Battalion 601, described the challenging underground operations, including navigating collapsed entrances and advancing deeper into the terror tunnels. The battalion commander also reflected on the personal significance of the mission, honoring the memory of his fallen deputy commander, Lt. Col. David Shkori, who was killed in Gaza.

Addressing claims of fatigue among the troops, a soldier affirmed their unwavering commitment to defending Israel, stating, "We are here to protect the country. There is no such thing as tiredness. We have only just begun." On the eve of Tisha B’Av, retired Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner, deputy commander of Brigade 401, reiterated the resolve to prevent threats against Israeli communities and maintain security along the border.

The operation is part of an ongoing IDF effort to expose and dismantle Hezbollah’s terror network in southern Lebanon, aiming to safeguard Israeli civilians from missile and infiltration threats.