The Israeli army releases footage of Hezbollah housing in underground tunnels in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military on Tuesday released what it described as “exclusive footage” showing residential areas allegedly used by Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, as tensions persist between Israel and the Iran-backed group despite a fragile ceasefire.The Israeli army, when sharing the video onThe Israeli army wrote: “Watch: Exclusive footage of residential areas used by Hezbollah terrorists.”The IDF claimed that more than 100 military targets were struck during the operations, including “complexes used by Hezbollah terrorists,” underground tunnel routes allegedly containing large quantities of weapons, and weapons storage facilities and rocket launchers.The Israeli army also said that its forces “struck and eliminated dozens of terrorists in close combat, along with air support.”
Drone war intensifies despite ceasefire
The latest footage comes amid an escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, even as diplomatic efforts continue over the broader conflict with Iran.According to Reuters, Hezbollah has increasingly relied on low-cost first-person perspective (FPV) drones in recent months to target Israeli forces stationed in southern Lebanon.
The group has posted videos of more than 45 drone attacks since fighting intensified in March. Many attacks continued even after a fragile ceasefire was declared in April.Hezbollah drones are often controlled using fiber optic cables, allowing them to evade Israeli jamming systems and strike military sites, vehicles and forces.The report said that the truce still allows Israeli forces to operate within a buffer zone extending up to 10 kilometers from the border, making them vulnerable to such attacks.
Israel says Hezbollah drones remain a growing threat
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously admitted that Hezbollah’s capabilities in the field of drones constitute a serious challenge.“A few weeks ago, I ordered the creation of a special project to thwart the drone threat… It will take some time, but we are working on it,” Netanyahu said on May 3.Reuters quoted Israeli military officials as saying that Hezbollah drones are difficult to intercept because they are small and fly “low and slow” across terrain familiar to Hezbollah operators.Israeli think tank ALMA also noted that Hezbollah’s use of drone footage had created a “significant psychological impact.”
Hezbollah says the attacks aim to put pressure on Israel
Hezbollah believes that continued drone attacks could pressure Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon faster than ongoing negotiations.“We know the enemy’s superiority, but we also know its weaknesses,” Yousef al-Zein, Hezbollah’s media relations official, told reporters, according to Reuters.
“We take advantage of weaknesses to create that balance.”Experts cited by Reuters said Hezbollah’s drones are largely assembled using commercially available parts, many of which are sourced from Chinese manufacturers, with some modified to carry anti-tank warheads.The ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon remains closely linked to broader tensions between the United States and Iran, with mediators warning that failure to de-escalate Lebanon could ignite broader regional hostilities.
