Israeli forces have destroyed a major underground Hezbollah infrastructure network beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, in an operation that produced a powerful explosion felt across nearby areas. The U.S. Geological Survey registered the blast as a 4.1-magnitude seismic event, according to reports.
The Israeli military said the underground network stretched for more than two kilometres and contained rockets, missiles, drones, anti-tank weapons, mines and explosives. It also reportedly included a command complex belonging to Hezbollah’s Badr unit, with command centres, weapons storage facilities and living quarters that could allow fighters to remain underground for extended periods.
The operation took place at the strategically important Ali al-Taher ridge, located roughly 15 kilometres from the Israeli border. The elevated area has been a major focus of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah because of its commanding position over parts of southern Lebanon. Israeli officials said their forces had established operational control over the area both above and below ground before dismantling the underground infrastructure.
Lebanon’s state news agency reported that the large explosion was heard and felt in Nabatieh and surrounding areas. The seismic activity was recorded shortly after the Israeli military announced the destruction of the underground complex, leading to reports of a 4.1-magnitude tremor associated with the blast. There were no immediate reports of major damage caused by the tremor itself.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz described the operation as completing the consolidation of Israel’s security zone in the area. Israeli authorities said troops would remain positioned there to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military infrastructure or returning to the strategic ridge.
The destruction of the tunnel network comes amid continued tensions between Israel and Hezbollah despite a U.S.-brokered framework following a June ceasefire. The arrangement called for Israeli forces to gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon and for Hezbollah to be disarmed, but implementation has stalled. Hezbollah has resisted surrendering its weapons, while Israel has maintained that it will not fully withdraw until the group is disarmed.
The latest operation highlights the continuing importance of underground infrastructure in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. For Israel, eliminating the tunnel network is intended to reduce the threat of surprise attacks and prevent Hezbollah from restoring its military capabilities near the border. For Lebanon, however, the continued Israeli military presence and destruction of infrastructure add to the broader security and humanitarian concerns surrounding the conflict.
