Israel's military announced on Thursday the destruction of a significant underground complex operated by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The operation utilized more than 1,000 tonnes of explosives to demolish two tunnels that extended over 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) beneath the Ali Taher Ridge.
The immense blast caused seismic activity equivalent to a magnitude 4.1 earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Residents in Nabatieh, located approximately 6 kilometers west of the ridge, described the event, with one resident telling the BBC that the "sky lit up and about 15 seconds later we heard the terrifying sound." Another described the house shaking as if it were an earthquake, leading to panic among residents who fled the area.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the destroyed underground infrastructure included a command center for Hezbollah's Badr unit. They reported that the complex contained dozens of rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-tank weapons, mines, and explosives. The IDF characterized the infrastructure as "strategic" and described it as having been constructed, funded, and planned by Iran over two decades. According to the IDF, all Hezbollah operatives within the facility were either eliminated or fled.
The operation marks the completion of a mission to destroy eight tunnels and establish a security zone in the area, the IDF said. This action occurs amidst ongoing fighting in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have intensified operations against Hezbollah positions and maintain control over what Israel designates as a security zone near the border.
Lebanese media reported additional Israeli strikes in other southern locations, including Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Mansouri, on Thursday. The Lebanese army has reportedly increased deployments in areas outside of Israeli control to enhance stability and reassure residents.
The conflict involving Hezbollah began on March 2, when the group launched rockets into Israel in response to a strike that killed Iran's supreme leader. Israel subsequently initiated a bombing campaign across Lebanon and launched an invasion into a substantial portion of the country's south, currently occupying about 5% of Lebanese territory.
A decrease in fighting followed a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the U.S. in June, alongside a separate accord between Lebanon and Israel. Under this framework, Hezbollah was expected to disarm, Israeli forces were to withdraw gradually from southern Lebanon, and the Lebanese army was to deploy across the region. Hezbollah was not directly involved in this agreement and has not engaged in direct negotiations.
Despite the reduced fighting, Israeli strikes and demolitions in southern Lebanon have persisted. According to the Lebanese health ministry, at least 4,362 people have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict began, including 395 women and 259 children. Israeli authorities report 40 Israeli soldiers and four civilians killed.
Images released by the IDF showed a fireball lighting up the sky following the extensive use of explosives.