Israel Says Special Ground Ops Destroyed Hezbollah Weapons

The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that its forces had conducted a series of specialized operations targeting Hezbollah-linked arms caches and facilities in southern Lebanon. The areas hit included Jabal Blat and al-Labbouneh—locations believed to be central to the group’s military infrastructure in the region.

Tactical Raids Aim to Disrupt Hezbollah Presence

According to the military’s official statement, Israeli troops identified and dismantled multiple Hezbollah weapons sites and operational assets as part of a wider effort to undermine the group’s influence near the Israeli-Lebanese border. The operations reportedly aimed to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing a strategic foothold in these areas, which are known for their dense vegetation and difficult terrain—conditions that may conceal military equipment and personnel.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said the targets included armories, concealed weapons, firing points, and fortified positions. Among the items uncovered and destroyed were a launcher fitted with several canisters, a heavy machine gun, and dozens of explosive devices. These were discovered during close-quarters reconnaissance and cleared during the missions.

Reserve Forces Lead Clearance Operations

The statement emphasized the role of reserve units in the missions, describing their efforts as crucial in locating and neutralizing what the army referred to as “terrorist infrastructure.” In Jabal Blat, these units destroyed fortified positions used for launching attacks, while in al-Labbouneh, they uncovered a cache of hidden weaponry buried within rugged terrain.

The Israeli army claimed that all weapons and equipment seized during the raids were either dismantled or destroyed on site, further asserting that the actions were part of ongoing preventive measures to curb future attacks originating from southern Lebanon.

Broader Context of Rising Tensions

This latest operation underscores the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which have flared intermittently along the volatile border. Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group backed by Iran, maintains a significant military presence in southern Lebanon, a fact that Israel views as a direct threat to its northern regions.

The announcement comes amid broader regional concerns over cross-border hostilities, which have intensified in the wake of the conflict in Gaza and renewed international discussions about disarming non-state actors in Lebanon.

While the Israeli military framed the operation as a defensive necessity, Hezbollah has not yet issued a public response to the claims. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government has called for restraint, citing the risk of sparking a wider confrontation that could destabilize the region further.