Israel says it destroyed Hezbollah underground network in southern Lebanon

Israel says its forces have destroyed underground infrastructure attributed to Hezbollah beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, after establishing operational control of the site above and below ground.

The Israeli military said the network extended for more than 2km and contained command facilities, weapons storage and living quarters. It said the infrastructure included rockets, missiles, drones, anti-tank missiles, mines and explosives, as well as a command complex belonging to Hezbollah’s Badr unit.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would remain in the area to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its presence and rebuilding its capabilities. Israel has described the ridge, about 15km from its border, as part of a security zone.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported a powerful blast at the ridge, with tremors and an explosion heard across Nabatieh and surrounding areas. The full effects and precise timing of the blast were unclear in the supplied reports.

The operation followed Israel’s reported control of nearby Beaufort Castle and surrounding high ground. Israeli strikes and ground operations have continued despite a June ceasefire and a US-brokered framework calling for an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah’s disarmament.

The claims about the underground network, weapons and Israeli control of the ridge have not been independently verified in the supplied material, according to the Al Jazeera report. Hezbollah has not responded to the reported attack.