Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel in southern Lebanon

Israel's military has destroyed a significant underground tunnel used by the militant group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's office. The tunnel, described as over 200 meters long and more than 25 meters deep, was reportedly found to contain hundreds of weapons and multiple launch sites intended for use against Israel.

The operation occurred near the town of Majdal Zoun. The Israeli Prime Minister's office stated on social media platform X that the tunnel "contained hundreds of weapons and several launch pads intended to hit the territory of the State of Israel and its citizens." Israel had reportedly informed the United States of the strike in advance.

This development comes shortly after the Israeli military announced it had targeted Hezbollah militants armed with anti-tank missiles and struck a rocket launcher in southern Lebanon. The actions are taking place against the backdrop of a recently brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, facilitated by the U.S., aimed at paving the way for peace between the two nations, which have been in a state of official conflict for decades.

However, Hezbollah has rejected this framework agreement, with its leader Naim Qassem calling it a "capitulation" to Israel and vowing to continue armed resistance. The agreement proposed a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli military from parts of southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army deploying in the area, though Israeli soldiers would retain access to an expanded security zone. The ongoing conflict has displaced over a million Lebanese and is occurring concurrently with the war in Iran, with Hezbollah allied with the Iranian regime.