Israel Claims to Have Destroyed Hezbollah Underground Base in Southern Lebanon

According to a report by Reference News Network on September 14, the Israeli army destroyed an underground base of the Iran-backed Hezbollah located in southern Lebanon, as reported by the German news television channel website on September 11. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz confirmed the operation and stated on social media platform X that this action completed the consolidation of the security zone in southern Lebanon. Lebanon has not yet officially confirmed this.

A week ago, the Israeli army took control of the Ali Tahir Ridge, including both above-ground and underground areas. According to Israeli media reports, Hezbollah militants had been entrenched there for several weeks. The area has seen multiple outbreaks of fighting.

The Israeli army announced on the "Telegram" platform that, after thorough preparations, the military had completely destroyed the strategically significant underground infrastructure of the Ali Tahir Ridge. They claimed that this action completely eliminated Hezbollah's ability to use this infrastructure to plan and carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Abbas Ding, the mayor of Nabatieh in Lebanon, reported that there were intense explosions near the ridge. Tremors were felt throughout southern Lebanon and even as far away as the capital Beirut, 70 kilometers distant. Local residents described the sensation as feeling like a small earthquake.

Netanyahu and Katz stated that the site was a "strategic infrastructure for terrorism," funded by Iran and built over more than 20 years. They said that Israeli soldiers would continue to be stationed there to prevent the return of hostile armed groups. According to the military, the destroyed tunnel system exceeded two kilometers in length. Inside the underground facilities, dozens of Iranian-made missiles, rockets, and drones were found, along with machine guns, anti-tank missiles, and hundreds of landmines and explosive devices.

According to the military, there was also a command center underground. It is claimed that the complex included weapon storage and living quarters, allowing militants to hide underground for extended periods. These claims could not be independently verified.

The Ali Tahir Ridge, located near Nabatieh, holds significant strategic importance due to its geographical position, overlooking large areas of the region. The ridge is a contested area in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and has been a focal point for Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon in recent months. For years, the area has been an important operational zone and sphere of influence for Hezbollah, making it a recurring flashpoint in its conflicts with Israel. (Translated by Wang Ziqiang)