Netanyahu proclaims strategic victory and issues warning to Israel’s enemies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the recent advance of his armed forces in southern Lebanon as a massive victory. During an official address, the leader highlighted the seizure of the Ali Taher ridge and the iconic Beaufort Castle, two enclaves that, according to Israeli authorities, served as strategic strongholds for Hezbollah.
Netanyahu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to systematically dismantle the Shiite group’s military infrastructure in the so-called security zone. In an energetic tone, the Israeli leader sent a direct message to his adversaries in the region: any attempt at aggression against Israeli territory will be met with force superior to anything seen so far.
If by now they have not learned the lesson and choose to attack us again, they will suffer even harder blows. There is still work to be done.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
Destruction of underground infrastructure
The success of the military operation was consolidated following the neutralization of an extensive network of tunnels used by Hezbollah. According to official reports, these facilities housed command centers, arsenals, and living areas designed to facilitate incursions into northern Israel.
- The Israeli army used approximately 1,100 tons of explosives to dismantle the underground network.
- The detonation caused a 4.1 magnitude earthquake, detected by seismic sensors in the area.
- The operation was carried out in the vicinity of Nabatiye, consolidating control over key points of the terrain.
Historical and strategic importance
Beaufort Castle, or Qalat al Shaqif, represents not only a military objective, but a point of high historical value. Built by the Crusaders in the 12th century, the fortress overlooks the Litani River valley and has been an epicenter of conflict in the region since the 1982 invasion. The capture of these positions reinforces Israel’s current strategy of establishing a security buffer in southern Lebanon, a policy that, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz, is ready to be intensified if circumstances require it.
With these actions, Netanyahu seeks to project an image of strength and control, sending a clear signal of deterrence amidst the growing geopolitical tension currently affecting the Middle East.
