The Israeli military says it has struck at a stronghold of Hezbollah, hitting a major underground infrastructure complex at the Ali al-Taher ridge in Lebanon’s south, which it hailed as a severe blow for the Iran-backed militant group.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that the network had been established with the help of Iranian funding and planning which occurred over a period of over 20 years. The labyrinth was over 2 km in length and had dozens of rockets, missiles and drones, as well as anti-tank rockets, mines and explosive devices.
The IDF also found a main headquarters building of Hezbollah elite Badr Unit. It is said the plant had two command centers, weapons storage rooms, and shelters for fighters to stay in for long periods underground.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have confirmed that the destruction aimed to stop Hezbollah’s planned strike on northern Israel from being delivered from the site and had been intended as such. They also had reported to them that the job also included observation and fire-control over the Israeli towns of Metula and Kiryat Shmona.
Israeli forces have been deployed defensively in the area since the operation is over to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding its infestation in the region. Netanyahu said the IDF would continue to stay in the security zone and would retaliate violently against any Israeli citizens or troops being attacked, while noting that the IDF will destroy infrastructure of militants in the region.
Since the conflict started on March 2, Israel has extended its military presence throughout southern Lebanon with one of its points of operation gaining importance within the buffer zone being the Ali al-Taher ridge.