IDF Moves Toward Nabatieh After Discovery of Large Underground Hezbollah Sites

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon were concentrated on Nabatieh on Friday, including an Israeli Air Force attack Thursday night in the Al-Midan neighborhood and surrounding rural areas near the city. Nabatieh, one of the largest cities in southern Lebanon, is now emerging as a major strategic target in the expanded IDF operation in the area.

The city lies about 15 kilometers north of the Litani River and 30 kilometers north of the Israeli border. Beyond its economic and administrative role, it is strategically important because of its location. Nabatieh controls road networks linking eastern and central southern Lebanon, through which movement and supplies pass. Israeli control of the Beaufort area and the evacuation of the population are expected to make it harder for Hezbollah to move around the region.

Saudi outlet Al-Hadath reported that the IDF is operating about 3 kilometers from the city. The network aired footage of an underground structure uncovered during ground activity nearby after the IDF took over the Beaufort outpost. A Western security source told the outlet, “The Israeli army found huge underground facilities belonging to Hezbollah under the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.”

According to the source, Hezbollah’s warehouses and tunnels under the city contain large quantities of weapons. The source also said American security officials in the region were briefed on information Israel has gathered about Hezbollah locations inside Nabatieh.