Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnels in Ali Al-Taher with over 1,100 tons of explosives

Israeli forces have destroyed Hezbollah infrastructure in the Ali Al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon, in an operation the Israeli military said targeted an underground structure extending more than two kilometers, following what it described as "operational control" over the area both above and below ground.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a statement that the destruction of the infrastructure in Ali Al-Taher completed, in their words, a "security zone" in southern Lebanon.

The statement added that the operation was carried out under the direction of Netanyahu and Katz, and that destroying the infrastructure achieves "operational control" over the Ali Al-Taher heights both above and below ground. It confirmed that Israeli forces will remain in the security zone and continue to destroy infrastructure to prevent Hezbollah from returning to the area.

The Israeli military explained that the demolitions took place after operational control was established, and that the destroyed infrastructure extended for more than two kilometers.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 12 cited sources saying that more than 1,100 tons of explosives were used to destroy the tunnels in the Ali Al-Taher heights.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported an Israeli explosion in the Ali Al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon, while another reporter said two Israeli airstrikes targeted Wadi Zibqin and Al-Mansouri in the Tyre district, also in southern Lebanon.