Hezbollah’s underground terror hub in southern Lebanon has been cleared, according to Israel.

In a significant setback to the Iran-backed Shiite militant organization, the Israeli military claimed to have destroyed Hezbollah’s subterranean infrastructure at the Ali al-Taher hill in southern Lebanon. According to Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the operation successfully consolidated a security zone in the region, gaining authority both above and below ground.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) described the operation on its social media account, stating that the labyrinth, which was constructed over two decades with funding and planning from Tehran, was extended for more than two kilometres (1.24 miles) and contained dozens of rockets, missiles, and drones in addition to anti-tank missiles, mines, and explosive devices.

“Troops also uncovered a central command complex of Hezbollah’s elite ‘Badr’ Unit, with command centres, weapons stores, and living quarters built to sustain terrorists underground for prolonged combat,” mentioned the IDF post.

Later, in a joint statement, PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Katz also confirmed the demolition. “This was strategic terror infrastructure designed to serve as the staging base for the conquest of the Galilee, with observation and fire dominance over Metula and Kiryat Shmona,” the joint statement said.

With the ridge secured, IDF forces are now deployed defensively to prevent Hezbollah from returning. “The IDF will remain in the security zone and will continue destroying terror infrastructure and thwarting any attempt by Hezbollah to re-establish itself,” Netanyahu warned, adding that any attack on Israeli citizens or forces will be met with force.

Since the battle began on March 2, Israel has advanced into southern Lebanon and taken control of a number of key locations. The ridge, which is located inside an enlarged Israeli buffer zone in southern Lebanon, has been one of Israel’s primary operational targets.

Following a ceasefire in June, a framework mediated by the US called for Israeli soldiers to gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon while Lebanese troops disarm Hezbollah. Hezbollah’s refusal to surrender its weapons and Israel’s declaration that it won’t leave until the group disarms have caused the process to stop.