The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detonated 1,100 tons of explosives on Thursday, destroying a major underground tunnel network operated by Hezbollah beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. The operation followed weeks of fighting in which Israeli forces seized control of the ridge, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.
The IDF confirmed the destruction of two primary tunnels spanning over 2 kilometers, along with 14 additional tunnel routes totaling 5.4 kilometers in length. The blasts triggered seismic activity equivalent to a magnitude 4.1 earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Footage released by Israeli officials showed a massive fireball lighting up the night sky, with tremors felt as far as 40 kilometers north in the coastal city of Saida.
IDF confirms operational control over the ridge
The IDF stated that the destruction of the tunnels completed its mission to establish "operational control" over the Ali al-Taher ridge, both above and below ground. Military officials described the infrastructure as "strategic terrorist facilities" built over two decades with Iranian funding and planning. The complex reportedly included a command center used by Hezbollah’s Badr unit, along with dozens of rockets, missiles, drones, anti-tank weapons, mines, and explosives.
According to the IDF, dozens of Hezbollah fighters were either killed or fled during the operation. The military released bodycam footage from its Yahalom special engineering unit, drone footage of the tunnels, and videos showing the detonations. Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin, commander of the IDF’s 36th Division, described the operation as "one of the most complex" ever undertaken, involving multiple units including the Commando Brigade, Golani Brigade, and Brigade 7.
Hezbollah remains silent as tremors ripple across southern Lebanon
Neither Hezbollah nor the Lebanese government has publicly responded to the operation. However, residents in the nearby city of Nabatieh, approximately 6 kilometers west of the ridge, reported hearing a terrifying explosion followed by shaking that lasted 15 seconds. Ahamed, a local resident, told the BBC that cars filled the roads as people fled toward Beirut, and children were visibly distressed by the tremors.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported a "massive explosion" in the Nabatieh region, describing it as causing powerful rumblings across the area. The IDF has since expanded its presence in southern Lebanon, occupying several strategic positions since the resumption of hostilities in March 2024.
Israel vows to maintain control to prevent Hezbollah resurgence
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement declaring that the destruction of the tunnels "completes the achievement of operational control" over the ridge. They emphasized that Israeli forces would remain in the area to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its presence or rebuilding its capabilities.
The Ali al-Taher ridge, located about 15 kilometers from the Israeli border, has become a key flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Lebanese security sources previously told Reuters that Hezbollah had constructed an underground command center and weapons storage facilities there, which Israel has now dismantled.
Background: Escalation and regional implications
The operation follows months of renewed fighting in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have conducted expanded military operations against Hezbollah positions. The IDF’s seizure of the ridge is part of a broader strategy to establish a "security zone" along the border, aimed at preventing attacks on northern Israel. The conflict has displaced thousands of civilians on both sides of the border and raised concerns about further regional destabilization.
International observers have noted the escalatory risks of the operation, given the proximity of the ridge to civilian areas and the potential for further cross-border violence. The U.S. Geological Survey’s confirmation of the 4.1 magnitude tremor underscores the scale of the explosions and their impact on the surrounding region.
The IDF has not indicated whether additional operations are planned in the area, but the destruction of the Ali al-Taher tunnels represents a significant tactical and strategic shift in the ongoing conflict.