According to the military, Israeli forces completed the encirclement of the town over the past week before launching a ground assault. Troops have since entered Bint Jbeil, killing more than 100 Hezbollah operatives, destroying infrastructure, and seizing significant quantities of weapons. The IDF said operations are still ongoing, with commanders estimating that several more days will be required to eliminate remaining fighters and fully secure the area.
Bint Jbeil has long held symbolic importance for Hezbollah. It was the site of a 2000 speech by former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in which he described Israel as weaker than a “spider’s web,” a phrase that became a central element of the group’s rhetoric. During the current fighting, the soccer field where that speech was delivered was destroyed, according to Israeli military statements. The IDF said it now controls the town, including key sites associated with Hezbollah’s presence there. (Read more)
