Israel’s military says it has destroyed a vast underground complex that was operated by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the group used more than 1,000 tonnes of explosives to demolish tunnels that stretched over 2 km beneath the Ali Taher Ridge.
The blast triggered seismic activity equivalent to a magnitude‑4.1 earthquake, confirmed by the US Geological Survey, and was felt as far north as the coastal city of Saida, 40 km away.
There was no immediate public response from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government to the reported strike.
Israeli forces captured the ridge last week after months of fighting against the Iran‑backed group, and the country now occupies about 5% of Lebanese territory, primarily to maintain what it calls a security zone.
The destruction of the complex, which the IDF described as strategic infrastructure built over two decades with Iranian support, includes a command centre and stockpiles of rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
It also reportedly housed dozens of anti‑tank weapons, mines, and explosives, all of which the IDF claims were destroyed or forced the occupants to flee.
The operation is part of a broader mission to eliminate eight tunnels and establish the small security zone in the area.
Throughout the conflict, civilians have faced increasing displacement, with the UN reporting about 330,000 people displaced in Lebanon due to military activity and restrictions on return to occupied areas.
This incident illustrates the continuing tensions in the region since the July ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, which has not addressed direct negotiations with the Lebanese army or the group itself.
