Israel Blows Up Hezbollah Tunnels in Lebanon

Israel destroyed a Hezbollah underground complex beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon on Thursday, saying the operation completed its control of a security zone there.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced in a joint statement Thursday that the Israeli military had razed a Hezbollah underground command complex at the Ali al-Taher ridge, consolidating a security zone in the area.

The Times of Israel reported the military used 1,100 tons of explosives to level roughly two kilometers of tunnels beneath the hill. Lebanon reported a massive explosion, and the U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 4.1 tremor nearby, according to France 24.

What Was Inside

Israeli officials said the network held command centers, weapons storage and living quarters for fighters, along with dozens of rockets, missiles, drones, mines and anti-tank weapons.

Netanyahu and Katz said the complex was built over two decades with Iranian funding. Israeli officials said it was meant to serve as a launch base for an operation targeting the Galilee, and gave Hezbollah observation over the Israeli towns of Metulla and Kiryat Shmona.