Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that defense forces destroyed extensive subterranean tunnel networks in the Beaufort ridge area of southern Lebanon overnight between Thursday and Friday. The massive operation utilized approximately 700 tons of explosives to eliminate critical underground infrastructure that formed a central pillar of Hezbollah's planned invasion into northern communities.
The targeted strike was executed in direct response to what military officials described as a blatant breach of the ceasefire agreement by the Shiite group on Thursday. Ahead of the blast, residents living along the northern border were instructed to open their windows to prevent glass from shattering due to the immense shockwave generated by the controlled explosion.
In a joint statement, the Prime Minister and Defense Minister declared that Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. "The State of Israel will not accept any violation of the ceasefire agreement," the leaders stated in their formal announcement. "Any attempt by Hezbollah to harm defense forces or Israeli citizens will be met with a harsh, powerful response that will exact a heavy price from the group. The military will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon and continue to destroy all infrastructure to prevent any attempt by Hezbollah to rehabilitate its capabilities."
Military spokespersons confirmed that the underground network served as a primary command center from which Hezbollah forces directed combat and coordinated fire. Built over two decades with planning and financial funding from Iran, the multi level complex acted as the headquarters for Hezbollah's Badr Unit in southern Lebanon.
Located roughly six kilometers from Metula and Finger of the Galilee communities, the strategic base posed a direct threat to northern residents. The complex was previously utilized to launch dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles, explosive drones, and anti tank missiles against civilian and military targets.
Over recent weeks, ground units secured control over the Beaufort ridge, inspecting and cleansing the multi level subterranean shafts in preparation for their complete destruction. According to operational updates provided to Bloomberg, military units will maintain a continuous presence in the southern security zone to systematically dismantle remaining underground sites.
