Israel Destroys Hezbollah Tunnel in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli military has destroyed an extensive underground tunnel in southern Lebanon that Israeli authorities said was used by Hezbollah to store hundreds of weapons and rocket launchers.

The 200-m tunnel was located near the village of Majdal Zoun. Israel said it had informed the United States ahead of the attack.

The operation came hours after the Israeli military said it had struck Hezbollah militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades and a rocket launcher in southern Lebanon. Israel says its operations are aimed at removing threats to its northern communities and preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding military infrastructure near the border.

The strike also came two days after Lebanon and Israel agreed a US-brokered security arrangement intended to ease fighting along the border and allow for the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah described the Israeli attacks as a “flagrant” violation of the ceasefire and said it reserved the right to “defend its homeland and people”. Its leader, Naim Qassem, rejected the new security arrangement, saying it amounted to surrender to Israel.

The latest fighting in Lebanon escalated after Hezbollah fired drones and missiles at Israel in support of Tehran on 2 March, prompting Israel to launch airstrikes and send troops into southern Lebanon to push the group back from its northern border.

(Reuters, mja)