Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military is systematically detonating all tunnels and demolishing homes used as Hezbollah strongholds. The statement underscores the ongoing IDF campaign in southern Lebanon.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Friday that the IDF is systematically detonating all Hezbollah tunnels and demolishing homes used as strongholds by the terror group in southern Lebanon. The remarks, reported by i24NEWS, expand on Katz's earlier confirmation Thursday evening of the destruction of the Hezbollah tunnel network beneath the Ali Taher ridge.
On Thursday evening, The Zioneer first reported the destruction of a Hezbollah underground network spanning over two kilometers, built over two decades with Iranian funding. Later that evening, an Israeli security source told Israel Hayom that dozens of Hezbollah operatives' bodies had been discovered in the tunnels. The IDF then confirmed that nearly 50 operatives were killed after refusing to surrender, and released bodycam and drone footage of the tunnel complex. Defense Minister Katz also confirmed the destruction of the Ali Taher ridge tunnels, describing it as a forward stronghold built over 15 years.
As The Zioneer reported, the tunnel network contained rockets, missiles, UAVs, machine guns, anti-tank missiles, hundreds of mines and charges, and a central command complex. The IDF used 1,100 tons of explosives to demolish the network and has since withdrawn from the ridge while maintaining surveillance and fire control.
Katz's Friday statement did not specify locations or a timeline for the systematic demolition of all tunnels. It remains unclear whether this refers exclusively to tunnels in southern Lebanon or includes other areas, and whether the operation has reached other Hezbollah strongholds.
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