In a sharp escalation of military activity, Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon in recent days have carried significant military and political signals—most notably the unprecedented use of bunker-busting bombs in the area.
According to defense analysts, the deployment of such high-impact munitions marks a turning point in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, targeting suspected underground infrastructure in the mountainous regions near the city of Nabatieh. These types of bombs had previously only been used in high-profile assassinations of Hezbollah figures, including former secretaries-general Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddin.
The Israeli military claimed the strikes destroyed Hezbollah tunnels, though the announcement has sparked debate over the accuracy and intent of the operation. The area struck is densely populated, and while Hezbollah is known to construct tunnels in remote areas such as valleys and hills, some experts argue that mountainous terrain is ideal for such activities.
“Tunnels are often built into mountains due to the ease of excavation and movement, as well as the ability to conceal entrances and exits,” said Brig. Gen. Khalil Helou, a retired military strategist. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he noted that the intensification of Israeli operations in the south is not only militarily significant but also sends a strategic message to Tehran and to US-Iran nuclear negotiators.
“This could be part of a broader preparation for a major military confrontation with Iran,” Helou said, referencing recent remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who warned that Iran would face the same fate as its regional proxies—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.
The Israeli claims appear to align with Hezbollah’s own disclosures. In a video released in the summer of 2024 titled “Our Mountains Are Our Storehouses,” Hezbollah showcased vast tunnel systems in southern Lebanon capable of accommodating vehicles and fighters. One such network, dubbed “Imad 4,” was named after Hezbollah’s former military chief Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated by Israel in Damascus in 2008.
Brig. Gen. Hassan Jouni, a defense and security expert, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s use of deep-penetrating munitions signals a new phase in its targeting strategy. “These are no longer symbolic strikes,” he said. “They reflect a belief that Hezbollah has built strategic underground infrastructure, weapons depots, and possibly command centers in these areas.”
Analysts say Israel is seeking to reshape the strategic landscape in Lebanon ahead of—or in defiance of—a possible nuclear deal between the US and Iran. Helou believes the strikes are intended to deliver a strong message that Israel will not be bound by any diplomatic agreement between Washington and Tehran.
He also said the military pressure is designed to raise public dissatisfaction within Hezbollah’s support base and increase pressure on Lebanese leaders to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament and the extension of state authority north of the Litani River.
“Israel wants to keep the initiative and maintain the upper hand,” Helou said. “Its goal is to force Hezbollah into a defensive posture and dictate the terms of engagement.”
