IDF destroys extensive Hezbollah underground tunnel network in southern Lebanon

On September 10, 2026, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a large-scale operation in southern Lebanon, destroying an extensive Hezbollah underground complex beneath the Ali Taher Ridge. According to official reports, the IDF utilized over 1,100 tons of explosives to demolish a tunnel network spanning more than 5.4 kilometers, which contained weapon caches, drones, and anti-tank missiles. The controlled detonation was so powerful that the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a seismic event of 4.1 magnitude in the region, which was felt by local residents and international journalists.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the mission marks the completion of a security zone in southern Lebanon, intended to prevent Hezbollah from launching future attacks on northern Israeli communities like Metula and Kiryat Shmona. The IDF claims these facilities were part of a twenty-year project funded and designed by Iran to serve as a base for operations against the Galilee region.

Following the success of the operation, Defense Minister Katz stated that Israel remains prepared to continue its military campaign and conduct further strikes against Hezbollah across other locations. Israeli forces currently maintain an operational presence in the area, having established control over both the surface and underground infrastructure of the Ali Taher ridge.