WATCH: IDF dismantles largest Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reported a significant operational success in southern Lebanon, dismantling what it describes as the largest Hezbollah tunnel network ever found in the region. This extensive subterranean city, built with substantial assistance from Iran, was designed to support thousands of Hezbollah's elite Radwan forces, serving as a critical hub for housing, weaponry, communications, and other operational necessities.

Located near Kantara, approximately 11 kilometers into Lebanese territory, the tunnel network is even larger than initially assessed. The IDF is currently destroying both the main western portion and a parallel eastern network that Hezbollah had apparently planned but never fully connected. This operation involved forces from Division 36, including the Golani Brigade and the Yahalom special forces, who engaged in extended combat across various locations.

During the operation, the IDF encountered a challenging mix of combat scenarios, including intense close-quarters fighting and sophisticated long-range attacks from Hezbollah. These attacks included rockets, anti-tank missiles, and advanced First Person View (FPV) drones, which have proven particularly difficult to counter. The IDF acknowledged ongoing challenges in fully neutralizing FPV drone threats, despite improvements in anti-drone defenses since 2023, and is exploring intelligence-based strategies to disrupt the drone ecosystem.