Overview
- Israeli officials say the IDF demolished an extensive Hezbollah underground network beneath the Ali al-Taher and Beaufort ridges and then withdrew from the immediate ridge to redeploy along the Yellow Line while retaining positions at Beaufort.
- The blast that destroyed the tunnel complex produced a large fireball and a seismic tremor recorded by the US Geological Survey equivalent to magnitude 4.1, Israel says the network stretched roughly 5.4 kilometers and served as a regional Hezbollah command center.
- Defense Minister Yisroel Katz warned that Israeli forces are deployed to hold the ridge and that 'whoever approaches the ridge will be destroyed,' and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed heavier reprisals if Hezbollah attacks again.
- Israeli statements frame the operation as a tactical success that removes threats to northern Israel and the military says it will continue striking terrorist infrastructure both above and below ground.
- Diplomats and observers warn the demolitions and tough rhetoric could deepen mistrust and complicate the fragile U.S.-brokered framework and Rome talks that link phased Israeli withdrawal to Lebanese Army deployments and Hezbollah disarmament.