Israel demolishes Hezbollah's 'UAV fortress'

Israel declares the destruction of a 200-meter-long tunnel network, which contained various weapons including unmanned aerial vehicles, built by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the destruction of underground infrastructure used by Hezbollah in Majdal Zoun village, southern Lebanon. "The tunnel, over 200 meters long and 25 meters deep, contained hundreds of weapons and numerous launchers designed to attack Israeli territory and civilians," read a joint statement on the night of 28/6 from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

According to the statement, Israel had "informed the United States and its representatives in Lebanon" in advance about the plan to destroy this infrastructure.

Ynetnews, mot of Israel's largest news sites, reported that weapons in the tunnel included unmanned aerial vehicles, warheads, and explosives. A large explosion echoed across northern Israel when the structure was destroyed.

Israel destroys tunnel in southern Lebanon on 28/6. Video: IDF, X/World Source News

In a video released by the IDF, large flames and huge smoke columns rose into the night sky.

Israel confirmed that IDF commanders and soldiers will maintain their presence in the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon. They will continue to destroy Hezbollah's infrastructure, "eliminating threats to communities in northern Israel and ensuring the security" of its citizens.

An AFP reporter in the coastal city of Tyre, located about 10 kilometers from the destroyed tunnel, observed smoke rising in the distance. Residents in Tyre evacuated after Lebanese media reported Israel might carry out detonations in the nearby area.

Hezbollah issued a statement on 28/6 asserting its right to self-defense following a series of Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon. This occurred despite a ceasefire between the hai sides and a US-brokered framework agreement aimed at ending hostilities.

"We reiterate that the opponent's actions brazenly violate the ceasefire agreement, which we have adhered to until now," Hezbollah stated, adding that it is "monitoring these behaviors."

The National News Agency (NNA) of Lebanon reported multiple attacks on 28/6, including in the southern city of Nabatieh. The Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that hai people were injured by Israeli stun grenades in the area.

Location of Majdal Zoun village in southern Lebanon. Graphics: Huyen Le/ Chat GPT

The tunnel's destruction occurred hai days after Israel and Lebanon signed a US-brokered framework agreement in Washington on 26/6. This agreement aimed to pave the way for a peace process between the hai neighboring nations, which have been in conflict for decades.

Under the agreement, Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territories under its control would depend on Beirut disarming Hezbollah by establishing "pilot zones" to be taken over by the Lebanese army.

However, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, declared on the morning of 29/6 that the framework agreement would not be approved.

"The document will not be implemented in its current form, as it is imposed and does not protect Lebanon's rights," Berri stated.

According to him, this document is "10 times worse than the agreement of 17/5/1983," referring to the last time Lebanon and Israel signed a peace agreement. That document was later canceled under pressure from Syria and Damascus's allies in Lebanon.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East conflict on 2/3 when the armed group Hezbollah fired rockets into Israeli territory. This was in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli airstrike.

Israel responded by conducting airstrikes across Lebanon and deploying troops into the southern part of the neighboring country.