Israel destroys Hezbollah underground infrastructure at Ali Taher Ridge

On September 10, 2026, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a large-scale operation in southern Lebanon, destroying an extensive underground network beneath the Ali Taher Ridge. According to the IDF, the operation involved the detonation of over 1,100 tons of explosives to clear 5.4 kilometers of tunnels. The explosion was so powerful that it registered as a 4.1 magnitude seismic event, as confirmed by both the United States Geological Survey and the National Geological Institute of Israel.

The tunnels, which had been under development for two decades with Iranian funding and planning, contained command centers, drones, anti-tank missiles, and hundreds of mines. Israeli officials stated these facilities were designed as a staging ground for potential attacks against the Galilee region and provided strategic surveillance capabilities targeting Metula and Kiryat Shmona.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the destruction of this infrastructure completes the establishment of a security zone in southern Lebanon. With this operation, the IDF has secured full operational control of the Ali Taher area, both on the surface and underground. Israeli forces are currently reported to remain deployed in the region as part of their broader security objectives.