Israel destroyed Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon / The explosion caused a 4.1-magnitude earthquake

The Israeli army destroyed Hezbollah’s underground tunnels beneath the former strategic Ali Taher position in southern Lebanon on Thursday, as part of an operation to consolidate the security zone. The explosions were so powerful that the US Geological Survey recorded a 4.1-magnitude earthquake in the Nabatiye region.

AFP journalists in the area heard several detonations, while witnesses reported that the shock waves were felt in towns across southern Lebanon, including Sidon, located approximately 40 kilometers from the capital. A video published by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz captures a large-scale explosion.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel Katz claimed that the infrastructure, built over the past two decades with Iranian support, included weapons depots, living quarters, and a command center for Hezbollah’s Badr unit. According to the Israeli army, the tunnels enabled the launch of drones and rockets at Israeli positions.

Israel announced last week that it had captured the Ali Taher ridge, located north of the Litani River. A proposal for the area to be taken over by the Lebanese army was reportedly rejected by Hezbollah during negotiations between Beirut and Israel.