The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) demolished a Hezbollah tunnel near the Israeli-Lebanese border, using 400 metric tons of explosives to destroy the 1.2-mile structure. The Saturday morning blast was powerful enough to set off earthquake alarms across northern Israel. This tunnel, described by the IDF as an underground military base, was built over 15 years and was equipped with armories, living quarters, and food supplies to support Hezbollah fighters for prolonged operations.
The operation involved IDF special forces clearing the tunnel of booby traps and mines before placing explosives throughout. IDF soldiers engaged Hezbollah fighters stationed at the site beforehand, neutralizing several operatives. Inside, Israeli troops uncovered weapons such as assault rifles, sniper rifles, RPGs, and anti-tank missiles, all intended for a possible Hezbollah incursion into northern Israel.
Journalists, escorted under strict security, were shown the extensive tunnel complex, which reached depths of 40 meters and featured large rooms capable of housing 100 fighters. The IDF said that the tunnel was part of Hezbollah’s broader plans to infiltrate Israel, although those plans were never carried out. The site also contained multiple exits leading into a nearby village, providing Hezbollah forces with access points for a potential cross-border attack.
The tunnel’s destruction is part of Israel’s ongoing campaign to dismantle Hezbollah’s positions in southern Lebanon as tensions remain high along the border. The IDF is actively working to disable Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure and prevent future incursions into Israeli territory.
