Israel Destroys Major Underground Hezbollah Base, Triggering Tremors Felt Across Southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it took control of the strategic ridge last week after months of fighting with the Iran-backed group. The operation completed a mission to destroy eight tunnels and establish a "security zone" in the area, the IDF said in a statement on Telegram.

The underground infrastructure included a command centre used by Hezbollah's Badr unit and contained dozens of rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as anti-tank weapons, mines and explosives, according to the IDF.

"This was strategic infrastructure that was constructed over two decades, funded and planned by the Iranian terror regime," the IDF said. "All of the terrorists who were inside the infrastructure were eliminated or fled."

The explosion was captured in images released by the IDF showing a fireball lighting up the night sky. Residents reported the blast felt like an earthquake.

"The sky lit up and about 15 seconds later we heard the terrifying sound," said Ahamed, a resident in Nabatieh, about 6 kilometres west of the ridge, told the BBC. "The house shook all together as if it was literally an earthquake." He said people were screaming and children were crying, and that cars filled the roads as people left the area for Beirut.

There was no immediate public response from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government. The Israeli military occupies a large swathe of southern Lebanon captured after the conflict with Hezbollah resumed in March.

The New York Times, citing unnamed sources, confirmed the complex sat below the Ali al-Taher ridge, a strategic hilltop that has seen intense fighting.

The destruction of the base marks a significant escalation in the ongoing campaign, though it remains unclear what Hezbollah's next steps will be.

Why This Matters

The unprecedented scale of the demolition signals Israel's intent to dismantle Hezbollah's tunnel network, a key part of the group's defensive strategy.
The blast's seismic impact and civilian displacement in Nabatieh highlight the widening humanitarian toll of the renewed conflict.
Destroying a command centre and weapons cache may degrade Hezbollah's ability to launch attacks from southern Lebanon, but it does not eliminate the group's broader capabilities.

Background

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militia and political party, has long maintained an extensive network of underground tunnels and bunkers in southern Lebanon. The current phase of conflict began in March 2026, when Israel resumed ground operations and subsequently captured a large area of southern Lebanon. The Ali Taher Ridge is a strategically important high ground overlooking the region, and its capture last week was a prerequisite for the tunnel demolition.

Key Perspectives

Israel: The IDF frames the operation as a necessary step to neutralise a strategic threat built by Hezbollah with Iranian support. The destruction of eight tunnels and the establishment of a security zone are presented as key military objectives achieved. Hezbollah and Lebanon: Neither the group nor the Lebanese government has responded publicly. Hezbollah's silence could indicate an assessment of damage or a decision not to engage in a propaganda battle over a lost position. Critics/Skeptics: Humanitarian and regional observers may question the long-term effectiveness of such an operation, given Hezbollah's ability to rebuild and adapt. The displacement of civilians and the scale of the explosion also raise concerns about proportionality and escalation.

What to Watch

Whether Hezbollah issues a formal response, which could indicate its next military or political moves.
Any reports from Lebanon or international bodies on civilian casualties resulting from the blast.
Further Israeli operations to expand or consolidate the "security zone" in southern Lebanon.

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