The Israeli army announced the destruction of a tunnel network it said belonged to Hezbollah in the Ali al-Taher Heights in southern Lebanon, following weeks of military operations in the area near the city of Nabatieh. It released footage it said documented the bombing of the underground facilities, the discovery of weapons inside them and the targeting of Hezbollah fighters.
1100 tons of explosives destroy tunnel network
The army said its forces used more than 1100 tons of explosives on Thursday evening to destroy the network, which it said extended for more than two kilometres. The US Geological Survey reported a 4.1-magnitude earthquake in southern Lebanon following the explosions.
The army said the 36th Division carried out what it described as an operation of “deception and misdirection” to cross the Litani River and gain operational control of Beaufort Castle, before commando units conducted an operation to seize the Ali al-Taher Heights on Thursday. It added that the Yahalom unit, which specialises in tunnels, entered the facilities to clear them after Hezbollah members were targeted near the entrance to an underground route.
Washington confirms dialogue continues and names Rome
Alongside the field operations, a US State Department spokesperson said Lebanon and Israel remained engaged in constructive and ongoing dialogue through the talks mechanism on a daily basis. He confirmed that the next round of talks would be held in Rome soon, under a plan drawn up weeks ago.
The US spokesperson described Hezbollah as “the obstacle to peace,” saying that the trilateral framework between Lebanon and Israel represented “the only roadmap to peace.” He called on the Lebanese government to draw up a disarmament plan covering all Lebanese areas, in accordance with the framework. An Israeli official said the talks would be held in Rome next week and last two days, adding that it had not been decided whether they would begin on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The US spokesperson did not confirm a specific date for the round. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel days ago of continuing to violate the framework agreement by maintaining its bombardment and destroying southern villages. Israel, meanwhile, says its strikes are aimed at removing Hezbollah threats and that it remains committed to the agreement.
The framework agreement stipulates that the Lebanese army will gradually assume responsibility for security in the south, alongside the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the disarmament of Hezbollah, with implementation mechanisms to be set out in a security annex whose details have not been announced. Israel insists on keeping its forces in what it calls “security zones” until the Hezbollah threat is eliminated, while Lebanon is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal.
