Israel Destroys Hezbollah Tunnel Network in South Lebanon, Triggering 4.1 Magnitude Tremor
- A 4.1 magnitude tremor struck southern Lebanon on September 11, 2026, following a massive explosion set off by the Israeli military to destroy a strategic Hezbollah tunnel network...
- The demolished subterranean complex extended for more than two kilometers beneath the mountainous ridge, according to the Israeli military.
- The strategic Ali al-Taher ridge, located about 15 kilometers from the Israeli border, has become a central flashpoint in the ongoing conflict.
A 4.1 magnitude tremor struck southern Lebanon on September 11, 2026, following a massive explosion set off by the Israeli military to destroy a strategic Hezbollah tunnel network beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge, according to the US Geological Survey and regional reports. AFP journalists in the area heard multiple huge explosions, and a video shared by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz showed a massive fireball lighting up the night sky. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that the blast caused tremors and a powerful rumble across the Nabatieh region.
Destruction of the Ali al-Taher Underground Network
The demolished subterranean complex extended for more than two kilometers beneath the mountainous ridge, according to the Israeli military. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz stated jointly that the infrastructure was built over two decades with Iranian funding and planning. The military asserted that the underground site served as a command center for Hezbollah’s Badr unit and housed dozens of Iranian-made rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, machine guns, anti-tank missiles, hundreds of mines, and explosive devices. According to an Israeli military official, some fighters abandoned the ridge prior to the demolition, while others were killed by preceding air strikes and artillery fire. The official added that members of the Iran-backed group had excavated eight underground routes to move safely beneath the ridge. The military operation completed Israel’s operational control over the Ali al-Taher ridge both above and below ground, according to the joint government statement.
Regional Context and Stalled Diplomatic Frameworks
The strategic Ali al-Taher ridge, located about 15 kilometers from the Israeli border, has become a central flashpoint in the ongoing conflict. Prime Minister Netanyahu aims to establish a security zone in southern Lebanon to prevent cross-border attacks on northern Israel. During prior negotiations sponsored by the United States, mediators proposed that the Lebanese army take control of the ridge, but Hezbollah refused, according to a source close to the talks cited by AFP. The latest demolitions occur as fighting intensifies despite a previous lull following a June understanding between Iran and the United States, alongside a subsequent agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanese authorities report that Israeli strikes have killed more than 4,300 people across the country since March, when Hezbollah entered the regional conflict in support of Iran. Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon as the diplomatic framework for disarmament and troop withdrawal remains stalled.
