Israel says Hezbollah tunnel demolition secures ridge in southern Lebanon

Israel said it had demolished a Hezbollah tunnel network beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, describing the operation as completing its control of the strategic area above and below ground.

The Israeli army said the underground network extended for more than two kilometres and contained rockets, missiles, drones, firearms, anti-tank missiles, mines and explosives. Israel also said the tunnels included a command centre belonging to Hezbollah’s Badr unit.

Those claims were reported by France 24 International and have not been independently verified in the available material. Israel described the infrastructure as having been built over two decades with Iranian funding and planning.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported a massive explosion in the Nabatieh region, with tremors and a powerful rumble. Local witnesses and journalists also reported hearing large explosions and feeling the ground shake.

The United States Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 4.1 tremor nearby. The available reports do not establish whether the tremor was caused by the demolition.

Israel announced the capture of the ridge the previous week. The operation comes as violence between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified after a period of relative calm linked to understandings between the United States and Iran and between Lebanon and Israel. Israeli forces continue to occupy a declared security zone in southern Lebanon.