Discovery of Hezbollah Tunnels by Israeli Military
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have recently reported the discovery of an extensive network of tunnels in southern Lebanon, which they claim are utilized by the militant group Hezbollah. This revelation comes amid ongoing efforts by Israel to dismantle these tunnels to prevent Hezbollah from using them as a strategic launchpad for attacks against Israel. This approach is reminiscent of the tactics employed during the Hamas incursion last year, which ignited the current conflict in Gaza.
According to the IDF, their operations over the past two weeks have focused on uncovering what they describe as Hezbollahās advanced attack capabilities. This includes a sophisticated tunnel system outfitted with weapon caches and rocket launchers, which the IDF asserts pose a significant threat to nearby Israeli communities.
In a post shared on X, the IDF announced that they have successfully destroyed over 50 tunnel shafts and other components of what they label as ‘terrorist infrastructure.’ Additionally, they reported the seizure of a substantial cache of weapons, including landmines and anti-tank missiles.
Impact of the Conflict
Israel’s military campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah has extended deeply into Lebanese territory. Recent airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,700 individuals, with local health authorities indicating that approximately a quarter of these casualties were women and children. Despite the widespread airstrikes, the ground campaign, which commenced on September 30, has primarily focused on a narrow stretch of land along the border, an area known for its longstanding Hezbollah presence and substantial support from the local population.
In a related development, the Gaza-based militant organization Hamas, which shares an ideological alignment with Hezbollah, also operates a complex network of underground tunnels. On Saturday, the IDF released footage purportedly showing the former leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, utilizing these tunnels to escape the West Bank just a day before the October 7 attack on Israel.
Elimination of Yahya Sinwar
The footage, reportedly recorded on October 6, depicts Sinwar alongside his wife and children as they navigated through the tunnels while transporting various items, including mattresses and water bottles. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated, “There were no hostages with Sinwar when he was eliminated. His death is the culmination of a year-long campaign of operational and intelligence efforts aimed at bringing him and other Hamas leaders to justice. Although Sinwar has been eliminated, our mission remains unfinished. We will not rest until all our hostages are safely returned home.”
Sinwar was identified and killed by the Israeli military on Wednesday while he was located in an apartment in Rafah. He was considered the mastermind behind the October 7 incursion, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages, with around 100 still believed to be in Gaza.
Threats and Attacks
In a recent statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that “anyone who attempts to harm Israelās citizens will face severe consequences.” These remarks followed what Israel has termed a Hezbollah assassination attempt on Netanyahu himself.
On Saturday morning, three drones targeted Netanyahu’s residence in the coastal town of Caesarea. While two of the drones were intercepted and shot down, one successfully struck the building. Although Israeli authorities have yet to confirm the extent of the damage, they assured the public that neither Netanyahu nor his wife, Sara, were present at the time of the attack.
As airstrikes on the Lebanese capital continued through Saturday, this marked the most intense bombardment of Beirut in over a week. Lebanese officials are currently assessing the damage and casualty figures resulting from the strikes.
Additionally, the IDF reported that around 180 projectiles were fired from Lebanon into Israel, resulting in the tragic death of a 50-year-old man who was struck by shrapnel in the northern region.