Israeli forces have been actively targeting and destroying the underground network of Hamas in Gaza over the past year. Now, they have shifted their focus to dismantling tunnels and hideouts belonging to Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. Israel has stated that it is aiming to prevent a similar deadly raid by Hezbollah into its territory, like the one carried out by Hamas last year that led to the war in Gaza.
The Israeli military has been conducting thorough searches in the dense terrain of southern Lebanon, uncovering what they claim to be Hezbollah's deep attack capabilities. These capabilities include a tunnel system equipped with weapons caches and rocket launchers that Israel says pose a direct threat to nearby communities.
Hezbollah, which has openly called for Israel's destruction, is considered the most significant paramilitary force in the Arab world. The group has been firing rockets into Israel, prompting Israel to launch a ground invasion into southern Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure.
Hezbollah has been using underground tunnels in southern Lebanon to store weapons, launch attacks, and evade Israeli airstrikes. These tunnels, unlike those used by Hamas in Gaza, are carved into solid rock, indicating a significant investment of time and resources. Israel has been actively destroying these tunnels and has claimed to have found and destroyed over 50 tunnel shafts in southern Lebanon.
Despite the ongoing conflict, many residents of southern Lebanon support Hezbollah and view the group as their defender. The U.S.-backed Lebanese army lacks the weapons to protect these residents from Israeli incursions, leading to widespread support for Hezbollah in the region.
The Israeli military has stated that its mission in Lebanon is aimed at destroying Hezbollah's attack capabilities and ensuring the safety of Israeli communities near the border. The military has reported success in killing hundreds of Hezbollah fighters during the ground operation, although at least 15 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the process.