Key facts
- The Israeli army detonated a large explosion near Rashaf in southern Lebanon.
- The IDF destroyed a major underground Hezbollah tunnel complex in Majdal Zoun, southern Lebanon.
- The tunnel was over 200 meters long and 25 meters deep, containing hundreds of weapons and launch shafts.
- The IDF stated the compound was built with Iranian expertise and used for storing weapons and planning attacks.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz confirmed the operation as part of "Operation Sof Pasuk."
- Israel notified the U.S. and its representative in Lebanon prior to the demolition.
The Israeli army detonated a large explosion near the town of Rashaf in southern Lebanon's Bint Jbeil district, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. The agency also reported a bombing in Beit Yahoun.
Separately, the IDF announced the destruction of a major underground Hezbollah tunnel complex in the village of Majdal Zoun, described as one of the terrorist organization's key military strongholds. The fortified tunnel was over 200 meters long and 25 meters deep, containing hundreds of weapons, including dismantled UAVs, aircraft components, warheads, explosives, and four launch shafts directed toward Israeli territory. The IDF stated the compound had been built using technology and expertise supplied by the Iranian regime and was used by Hezbollah to store weapons and prepare attacks against Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation, calling it part of "Operation Sof Pasuk" to destroy Hezbollah's underground terror infrastructure. Israel notified the United States and its representative in Lebanon ahead of the demolition. Local councils in northern Israel had warned residents that a large blast might be heard.
The IDF described Majdal Zoun as a "deployment village" used by Hezbollah as a military base for observation and attacks against Israeli communities. Inside the compound, forces found blast doors, 12 rooms for weapons storage and accommodation, and multiple launch positions. The IDF reported that over 20 Hezbollah terrorists, including about 10 members of the Radwan Force, were eliminated during operations in the area.
The demolition followed the IDF's announcement of the death of Captain David Hazut in combat in southern Lebanon. It also preceded Netanyahu's announcement of a framework agreement with the Lebanese government, under which Israel is expected to withdraw from certain "pilot areas" in southern Lebanon and transfer them to the Lebanese army.