Israeli Air Strikes Target Hezbollah Infrastructure in Southern Lebanon

Latest Developments

Israel Strikes Hezbollah: The Israeli Air Force launched extensive airstrikes on May 8 targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The IDF said that it struck a terrorist site near Beaufort Ridge that Hezbollah used “to manage its fire and defense array.” The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least one person was killed and eight wounded in the strikes.
Tunnels Shafts Destroyed: The IDF stated that the attack neutralized Hezbollah terrorists, weapons, and tunnel shafts that it said were part of “a significant underground project.” Under the November 2024 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, the Iran-backed terrorist group was required to withdraw its forces and infrastructure from the area south of the Litani River. “The existence of the site” struck by the IDF on May 8 “and the activities conducted there” represent a “blatant violation” of the agreement, according to the Israeli military.
False Claims of Hezbollah Withdrawal: Israel’s latest strikes against Hezbollah came days after a Lebanese security official falsely claimed that “there is no longer a military [infrastructure] for Hezbollah south of the Litani [River].” On May 7, the IDF killed Adnan Muhammad Sadiq Harb, commander of Hezbollah’s Bader Unit, in Nabatieh, stating that his role was to rebuild terrorist infrastructure in the area. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on April 15 that he aims to disarm Hezbollah through dialogue, but the group’s leader, Naim Qassem, has rejected the possibility, asserting, “the hand that tries to reach the weapons of the resistance will be cut off.”

FDD Expert Response

“The strike on an active Hezbollah facility in southern Lebanon — especially one of such size and significance — once again underscores that the Lebanese army’s actions continue to fall short of the minimum required by the ceasefire deal. Hezbollah will not easily fully abandon its presence in southern Lebanon, and predictions of the organization’s demise or disarmament at the hands of the Lebanese government are not only premature but inaccurate.” — David Daoud, Senior Fellow

“Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect in November, Israel has consistently demonstrated its superior intelligence capabilities over the Iran-backed terrorist organization. Precision airstrikes targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure have impeded the group’s ability to recover quickly from the significant losses sustained during last year’s conflict. These operations not only degrade Hezbollah’s operational capacity but also serve as a strategic message: Israel remains committed to enforcing the terms of the ceasefire and preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing its pre-war threat level.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal