IDF destroys underground infrastructure from Hezbollah’s Radwan Force in southern Lebanon

On Saturday evening, the IDF showed an inside look at a recent operation by soldiers from the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade combat team, the Yahalom combat engineering unit and the Northern Command's engineering unit. The operation was aimed at exposing and destroying underground infrastructure belonging to the terror group Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. The infrastructure was identified and investigated during cross-border operations conducted in recent weeks in a coordinated operation of special units. 

IDF troops uncovered command centers, terrorist combat packs, and a large number of weapons intended to be used as part of an invasion by Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces into Israel. They also found living quarters equipped with showers, a kitchen and stockpiles of food. 

Israel Defense Forces said the underground tunnels and facilities did not cross into Israeli territory and were sealed by the IDF engineering units before they were destroyed.

IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari stated: “In the footage seen here, our troops raided a Hezbollah underground command complex and dismantled it. The troops entered a terror tunnel about 250 meters long, located about 300 meters from the border, which did not cross into Israeli territory. As can be seen here, the troops found along the route a kitchenette and rooms enabling extended stays for Hezbollah terrorists underground, terrorist combat packs and weapons of the Radwan Forces ready for attack, command rooms, fresh food, and electrical and communication infrastructure. These compounds were intended to be used by Hezbollah terrorists in an attack on the communities of the Galilee. This tunnel did not cross into our territory, and yesterday (Friday) we destroyed it.” 

Siren alerts continued to blare in Israel’s northern communities on Sunday morning, as the IDF reported detecting ten launches toward Israeli territory around 7:30 a.m. Several rockets were intercepted, and the military stated that "the targets did not cross into Israeli territory."

The Israel Air Force (IAF) conducted several airstrikes against Hezbollah weapons depots in Beirut overnight, according to the military spokesman. The AFP news outlet reported around 30 powerful strikes near the Dahiyeh district, a Hezbollah stronghold in the capital city. 

“Prior to the attacks, many steps were taken to reduce the chances of harm to non-involved civilians, including advance warnings to the population in the area,” the IDF said. “The Hezbollah terrorist organization places its weapons and production sites under residential buildings in the heart of Beirut, endangering the population in the area. The IDF will continue to attack forcefully, damage and detract from Hezbollah's military capabilities and infrastructure in Lebanon.” 

The military also stated that the IDF's Arabic spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee, informs Lebanese citizens in Beirut before each strike, urging those living in the area to evacuate to prevent civilian harm.

At the time of publication, Lebanese media reported additional strikes were taking place in Beirut.