A recent explosion in southern Lebanon, initially blamed on the Israel Air Force, was in fact caused by Hezbollah operatives attempting to smuggle weapons, the IDF confirmed Thursday. Responding to what he called “false Lebanese reports,” IDF Arabic spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee clarified that the blast near the village of Toula was not the result of an Israeli airstrike, but a failed Hezbollah smuggling operation gone wrong. “The explosion was internal a car filled with weapons detonated as terrorists attempted to move them,” Adraee stated.
“These terror infrastructure sites were located near the civilian population,” the IDF said in a statement. “Hezbollah continues to endanger Lebanese civilians by embedding its operations within population centers.” Earlier this week, the IDF eliminated three Hezbollah terrorists in a series of strikes across southern Lebanon, part of an ongoing effort to dismantle the group’s operational capabilities.
...But behind the posturing lies a very real threat. The IDF’s Intelligence Directorate recently released findings revealing that Nabatiya has emerged as a key hub for Hezbollah’s reconstruction and rearmament efforts. With at least six targeted Israeli strikes in the area over the past month, the military is systematically disrupting Hezbollah’s logistics and command centers.
...Further intelligence shows Hezbollah is actively attempting to rebuild its underground bunkers and military positions near Tyre and other southern villages. IDF officials believe this signals a push to restore the group’s operational infrastructure not just its leadership. (Read More)
