Voice of Urdu – International News in English & Urdu

Israel Destroys Hezbollah Underground Base at Lebanon Ridge — AI-generated representative image: A ridge in southern Lebanon showing a collapsed and scorched hillside after the destruction of an underground tunnel network.

Editorial Team

Military says the Ali al-Taher network spanned over 2 km and held rockets, missiles and drones, as leaders vow troops will stay to block Hezbollah rebuilding

The Israeli military says it has destroyed Hezbollah's underground infrastructure at the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, a strategic highland about 15 km (10 miles) from the Israeli border. The operation came roughly a week after Israeli forces said they had established operational control over the contested ridge.

In a joint statement on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would remain in the area to prevent the Iran-aligned group from re-establishing its presence and rebuilding its capabilities.

The destruction of the ridge network marks a significant escalation in Israel's campaign to deny Hezbollah a fortified foothold near its northern border. The site has become one of the most heavily contested areas of the conflict, and its fate is closely tied to stalled efforts to implement a US-brokered ceasefire framework agreed in June.

Key Developments

Israel's military said its forces had established operational control over the ridge, both above and below ground, before dismantling the infrastructure. The network extended for more than 2 km (just over 1 mile) and contained dozens of rockets, missiles and drones, as well as anti-tank missiles, mines and explosive devices.

Lebanon's National News Agency reported that the Israeli military carried out a powerful blast at the ridge, with tremors and the sound of the explosion felt across Nabatieh and surrounding areas in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has yet to respond to the recent attack.

Netanyahu and Katz said the operation consolidated Israel's so-called security zone in the area, with forces set to remain in place.

Background and Ceasefire Stalemate

The Ali al-Taher ridge has been a flashpoint for weeks, with Israeli strikes and ground operations continuing despite a ceasefire agreed in June. The fighting intensified after Israel gained control of nearby Beaufort Castle and part of the higher ground overlooking much of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

A US-brokered framework agreed after the June ceasefire, negotiated between Lebanon and Israel without Hezbollah's involvement, called for Israeli forces to gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon while Lebanese troops disarmed Hezbollah. That process has stalled, with Hezbollah refusing to give up its weapons and Israel saying it will not withdraw until the group disarms.

Since 2023, Israel has pushed into southern Lebanon and seized several strategic positions, occupying swathes of land that it now increasingly says it needs to maintain as a buffer zone between Israel and Hezbollah positions.

Details of the Underground Network

The Israeli military said a central command complex belonging to Hezbollah's Badr unit was located within the underground infrastructure. The complex contained command centres, weapons storage rooms and living quarters that allowed fighters to remain underground for extended periods.

Reuters reported that Hezbollah is believed to have built an underground command centre and weapons stores at the site in July, citing unnamed Lebanese security sources. Katz claimed last Friday that Israeli forces had driven Hezbollah fighters out of a network of tunnels under the disputed highland.

Iran reportedly warned the United States last month that it would respond forcefully if Israeli attacks on the ridge continued.

What Lies Ahead

Israeli officials have confirmed that forces will remain in the area to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its underground capabilities. Hezbollah has not yet issued a public response to the destruction of the ridge network, and it remains unclear whether the stalled disarmament process under the June ceasefire framework will resume.