The Israel Defense Forces' 7th Armored Brigade has successfully breached strategic pathways toward the Litani River in southern Lebanon, neutralizing subterranean "cities of refuge" constructed by the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror organization. This critical operation, cleared by the political echelon, exposed an extensive terror infrastructure built over two decades, designed to facilitate attacks against northern Israeli communities.
Col. Shaul Yisraeli, Commander of the 7th Armored Brigade, stated that the mission involved the most experienced Heavy Engineering Equipment (HEO) operators to breach routes, describing it as one of the most complex engineering tasks of the ground maneuver. He emphasized that the brigade's engineering companies played a vital role, executing maneuvers previously thought impossible and creating conditions for the attack.
The 7th Brigade was the first to engage after a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah, launching a maneuver toward Lebanese villages including Taybe, Markaba, and Rabb El Thalathine. The objective was to prevent raids and anti-tank missile fire against Israeli communities. The Golani Brigade joined in a subsequent stage of the operation.
A dramatic phase involved the capture of Hezbollah's "city of refuge" in Qantara. Col. Yisraeli confirmed this infrastructure was built over approximately 20 years by Iran alongside Hezbollah, featuring rooms, organized weaponry, firing and anti-tank positions facing Misgav Am, and a launch base for raids into Israeli territory.
Fighters from the 7th Brigade later faced an unprecedented attack involving hundreds of suicide drones. In the third stage, battalions from the 7th and Golani Brigades captured terrain overlooking the Litani and Beaufort ridge, conducting raids toward Ghandouriyeh to locate and destroy terror infrastructure both above and below ground.
Col. Yisraeli reported that the ground was burning during these operations, which resulted in dozens of terrorists killed. An additional tank company, operating with the Commando Brigade, attacked Hezbollah infrastructure north of Beaufort, including structures dug deep into the ground from which anti-tank missile launchers were aimed at the Metula area and the Galilee Panhandle.
Iran's Proxy Terror Network Exposed
The IDF's ground maneuver exposed Hezbollah's "cities of refuge," some dug deep into the earth to provide immunity from airstrikes. Engineering mapping revealed that the same contractor built all of them, with consistent standards for rooms, corridors, launch sites, and anti-tank missile firing slits. These tunnels in Lebanon were found to be larger than those in Gaza, facilitating faster mapping and destruction.
Col. Yisraeli noted that the 7th Brigade arrived highly prepared for these subterranean networks, with more accurate intelligence. He cited Qantara as an example, a 1.2-kilometer-long facility that was not reached during Operation Northern Arrows in September 2024. Another such facility measured 700 meters, with both containing dozens of rooms packed with weapons, from which operatives emerged and were engaged.
Hezbollah organized southern Lebanon as a multi-layered combat system, designed to strike the Israeli home front, serve as a staging ground for the Radwan Force before raids into the Galilee, delay IDF ground maneuvers, and store weapons or house reserve fighters. This system, built through Iranian-Lebanese cooperation, incorporated fortifications above and below ground, designed to be immune to Israeli Air Force strikes.
Additional fortified infrastructure, segments of about 80 to 100 meters, was found directly on riverbeds, forming a second line. This included a system of ambushes with anti-tank cells and drones. Some subterranean components extended over 200 meters, allowing operatives to withstand airstrikes, harass IDF forces, and retreat underground.
The Persistent Threat and Western Appeasement
Col. Yisraeli warned that Hezbollah's use of suicide drones would intensify, with heavier explosives and expanded operational ranges. He called for state investment in solutions to the drone threat, which he described as a significant component requiring changes in operational patterns.
He also highlighted a recent incident where a Hezbollah terrorist infiltrated all IDF defensive lines in southern Lebanon, reached the Moshav of Margaliot, and opened fire with a pistol before being neutralized. This event served as a red light, emphasizing the need to ensure the defense of communities against isolated terrorists.
Amidst these critical operations against Iran's proxy forces, a separate report indicated that U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about talks with Iran in Switzerland. This diplomatic engagement with the primary state sponsor of terror comes as Iran seeks to consolidate its influence in Lebanon, posing a direct challenge to Israel's security efforts and highlighting the ongoing strategic disconnect within Western policy toward the region.