According to Israeli media reports published on February 11, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) completely demolished a strategic Hezbollah tunnel network located beneath the Ali al-Tahar ridge in southern Lebanon using over 1,100 tons of explosives. The underground facility, often dubbed Hezbollah’s “underground Pentagon,” served as a core command post for the Badr regional division responsible for southern Lebanese territory north of the Litani River.
Demolition of Hezbollah’s Underground Pentagon
The destroyed infrastructure spanned two primary tunnel networks with a combined internal length exceeding two kilometers, according to reporting by The Times of Israel. IDF forces spent several weeks at the beginning of the month securing the subterranean complex before completing the demolition. The Ali al-Tahar ridge sits approximately 9.7 kilometers north of the Israeli border, offering a commanding vantage point over much of southeastern Lebanon. In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the underground stronghold was destroyed on orders, marking the completion of the IDF’s security zone establishment in southern Lebanon.
Did you know? The Ali al-Tahar ridge sits roughly 9.7 kilometers north of the Israeli border, giving it a commanding strategic view over the majority of southeastern Lebanon.
Military Hardware and Infrastructural Scale
According to the IDF, the facility was built over a 20-year period with Iranian financial backing. Inside the two-kilometer tunnel network, military engineers discovered dozens of Iranian-made rockets, missiles, and drones, alongside firearms, anti-tank missiles, and hundreds of landmines. The underground base was fully equipped with command centers, armories, generator rooms, living quarters, shower facilities, and kitchens. The IDF stated that Hezbollah operatives maintained long-term residency in these spaces to sustain prolonged combat operations.
Final Operations and Casualties
The demolition of the Ali al-Tahar complex concludes an eight-tunnel destruction campaign covering a 5.4-kilometer span across the ridge and the neighboring Beaufort area. When a new ceasefire went into effect in June, an estimated 50 Hezbollah operatives were believed to be hiding inside the network. After refusing surrender demands and continuing hostilities, Israeli forces recovered the bodies of about ten operatives inside the tunnels upon seizing control. Military officials confirmed that, contrary to initial media reports, no personnel from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were present inside the fortification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the destroyed Hezbollah tunnel network located?
According to The Times of Israel, the tunnel network was located beneath the Ali al-Tahar ridge in southern Lebanon, roughly 9.7 kilometers north of the Israeli border.
How much explosive material was used to demolish the tunnels?
The IDF used more than 1,100 tons of explosives to completely destroy the strategic subterranean complex.
What was found inside the underground facility?
According to the IDF, the tunnels contained Iranian-made rockets, missiles, drones, firearms, anti-tank missiles, hundreds of landmines, command centers, and living quarters including kitchens and shower facilities.
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