Israel has destroyed a major underground Hezbollah complex beneath the Ali al-Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon, using more than 1,100 tonnes of explosives, according to the Israeli military.
The operation demolished tunnels extending for more than 2 kilometres, while the massive explosions were followed by a 4.1-magnitude seismic tremor recorded in the area, according to the US Geological Survey.
The operation marks another escalation around the strategically important ridge near Nabatieh, where Israeli and Hezbollah forces have continued to clash despite a US-brokered framework aimed at ending the fighting.
Israel Says Tunnel Was Hezbollah's Major Command Centre
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the underground complex contained rockets, missiles, drones, firearms, anti-tank weapons and hundreds of mines and other explosives.
According to the IDF, the tunnels served as a major command and logistics centre for Hezbollah's Badr regional division, which operates in southern Lebanon north of the Litani River. The military also said the facility included command rooms, weapons storage areas and living quarters.
Israel said the infrastructure had been developed over more than two decades and was financed and planned with Iranian support. These claims have been made by the Israeli military and were not independently verified.
1,100 Tonnes of Explosives Used
The scale of the demolition was unusually large.
The IDF said more than 1,100 tonnes of explosives were used to destroy the underground complex. Israeli military reporting said the two tunnels extended more than two kilometres beneath the ridge. (The Times of Israel)
The explosion was powerful enough to generate a tremor measured at magnitude 4.1. The US Geological Survey recorded the seismic event, while residents in parts of southern Lebanon reported feeling the blast and ground shaking.
The tremor was therefore associated with the large-scale demolition rather than necessarily representing a naturally occurring earthquake.
IDF Says Fighters Were Found Inside the Network
The Israeli military has also released footage showing troops operating inside the tunnel system.
According to the IDF, Hezbollah fighters had been using the underground network and some were killed during the operation. Israeli forces also reported finding bodies and military equipment inside the complex.
The IDF said some fighters may have escaped from the area before the network was fully destroyed.
Details regarding the number of Hezbollah fighters killed or their identities have not been independently established.
Netanyahu Says Mission Has Been Completed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the destruction of the underground complex completed Israel's operational control of the Ali al-Taher Ridge.
Netanyahu also described the operation as a completed mission and issued a New Year greeting following the demolition.
Israel has been seeking to maintain a security zone in southern Lebanon, arguing that Hezbollah's military infrastructure in the area poses a threat to northern Israel.
Why Ali al-Taher Ridge Matters
The ridge is strategically located near Nabatieh and overlooks important parts of southern Lebanon.
The area has been a major point of confrontation since the latest escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. The United States has been mediating efforts aimed at implementing a framework under which Israel would withdraw from Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah's disarmament.
However, implementation has stalled, with disagreements over Hezbollah's weapons and the extent of Israel's withdrawal.
The destruction of the tunnel network could therefore strengthen Israel's military position while adding pressure to already fragile negotiations.
Fighting Continues Despite Ceasefire Framework
The latest demolition comes despite the broader ceasefire framework reached in June.
Israel has continued military operations in parts of southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has also carried out attacks against Israeli forces in the region. Recent Israeli strikes have caused civilian casualties, according to Lebanese authorities, while Israel has said its operations target Hezbollah military infrastructure.
The destruction of the Ali al-Taher tunnels is consequently unlikely to end the wider dispute on its own.
Instead, it highlights the continuing struggle over territory, weapons and military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, even as diplomatic efforts seek to prevent another major escalation.
