Israel says it has destroyed major underground Hezbollah base
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Israel's military destroyed a large Hezbollah underground complex in southern Lebanon using over 1,000 tonnes of explosives, triggering a seismic event equivalent to a 4.1 magnitude earthquake.
- The tunnels, spanning more than 2 km beneath the Ali Taher Ridge, contained a command center, rockets, missiles, UAVs, and various weapons, described by Israel as strategic infrastructure funded by Iran.
- Israeli forces took control of the ridge after months of fighting and now occupy about 5% of southern Lebanon, conducting ongoing operations against Hezbollah amid renewed clashes.
- The destruction of the tunnels completes a mission to eliminate eight tunnels and establish a security zone, while Lebanese forces have increased deployment outside Israeli-controlled areas to maintain stability.
- The conflict, which began in March following Hezbollah rocket attacks and Israeli retaliation, has resulted in over 4,300 deaths in Lebanon, with ceasefire agreements in place but continued Israeli strikes reported.
