Assault on Hezbollah's Fortress: IDF Encircles and Hammers Bint Jbeil | WATCH
According to the military, Israeli forces completed the encirclement of the town over the past week before launching a ground assault. Troops have since entered Bint Jbeil, killing more than 100 Hezbollah operatives, destroying infrastructure, and seizing significant quantities of weapons.
The IDF said Monday it is nearing full control of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, a longtime Hezbollah stronghold, following a major offensive led by the 98th Division.
According to the military, Israeli forces completed the encirclement of the town over the past week before launching a ground assault. Troops have since entered Bint Jbeil, killing more than 100 Hezbollah operatives, destroying infrastructure, and seizing significant quantities of weapons.
The IDF said operations are still ongoing, with commanders estimating that several more days will be required to eliminate remaining fighters and fully secure the area.
Bint Jbeil has long held symbolic importance for Hezbollah. It was the site of a 2000 speech by former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in which he described Israel as weaker than a “spider’s web,” a phrase that became a central element of the group’s rhetoric.
During the current fighting, the soccer field where that speech was delivered was destroyed, according to Israeli military statements. The IDF said it now controls the town, including key sites associated with Hezbollah’s presence there.
In remarks to troops, 98th Division commander Brig. Gen. Guy Levy referenced the speech, saying: “The man who boasted about webs and spiders no longer exists. Neither does the field. His words are worth nothing.”
The military described the operation as part of a broader campaign aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon, amid ongoing hostilities along the northern border.
Fighting in the area continues as Israeli forces work to consolidate control and prevent a renewed Hezbollah presence in the town.