The Israeli military is intensifying operations to destroy Hezbollah's military installations across southern Lebanese villages, following directives from Israel's defence minister.
The Israeli military has begun accelerating the pace of destroying Hezbollah's military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, according to statements from Israeli defence officials. The focus of operations is on villages with Shia majorities, where the military says Hezbollah has built military facilities with Iranian funding over more than two decades.
Villages targeted include Kafr Kela, al-Khiam, Bent Jbeil and al-Taibe, chosen for their positions on strategic roads and hills that would allow rapid access to the Israeli border in the Galilee region, according to Israeli military assessments.
Israeli forces conducting searches and raids in these areas say they have discovered large numbers of structures used by Hezbollah operatives as hiding places and long-term bases, as well as weapons caches, command centres, observation posts and launch platforms.
Some villages have been constructed in a manner resembling military fortresses designed to provide advanced engineering protection for Hezbollah operatives, particularly against Israeli airstrikes, Israeli military sources say.
Israeli operations in the region extend beyond destroying military infrastructure. The military is also opening new roads to facilitate access to operational areas, strengthen force protection and accelerate supply movements.
Israeli forces say their continued engineering operations in southern Lebanon aim to prevent Hezbollah from restoring its capability to conduct guerrilla warfare. Officers in the field describe inspection operations in small villages including Beit al-Siyad south of Tyre, where the military says Hezbollah invested significantly in military infrastructure now being demolished.
