While Hamas is notorious for its network of tunnels under Gaza, it’s important to remember that they aren’t the only terrorist organization on Israel's borders mastering the art of subterranean warfare. For years, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terrorist group operating out of Lebanon, has constructed one of the most advanced underground infrastructures known to man. These tunnels—stretching for kilometers and designed with almost military precision—represent a formidable challenge to Israel’s security. A glimpse into one of these tunnels, discovered by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) years ago, demonstrated the scale and sophistication of this hidden threat.

Now, as the Wall Street Journal reported, IDF Special Operations units have taken the fight underground. In recent months, they have reportedly penetrated Hezbollah’s tunnels along the Lebanese-Israeli border, gathering intelligence, sabotaging supply lines, and preparing for what may become a ground offensive of unprecedented scale. Such an operation could unfold as early as this week, as Israel positions itself to eliminate Hezbollah’s threat once and for all.

The Hezbollah terrorist tunnel connecting Lebanon to Israel pic.twitter.com/Ua2QZYdNxx

— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) July 3, 2023

The Unseen War: Israel’s Strategy to Undermine Hezbollah

These covert operations are a critical part of the IDF’s larger strategy to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities along the northern border. According to sources quoted in the report, these pre-emptive strikes aim to weaken Hezbollah’s infrastructure and military readiness before any broader conflict erupts. While Israeli officials have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of these underground raids, the aim is clear: prevent Hezbollah from launching the kind of devastating cross-border assault that Hamas orchestrated on October 7th.

As Israel bolsters its northern defenses, a broader ground invasion seems almost inevitable, even as political forces weigh heavily on the timing and scale. According to officials, the Israeli government finds itself caught between a rock and a hard place—pressured by the Biden administration to avoid a full-scale conflict, but simultaneously pushed by domestic expectations to protect the northern towns and villages from Hezbollah’s rockets.

“Terrorist bases, weapons factories, and underground bunkers: Hezbollah's tunnel project” @ynetnews

“huge Hezbollah tunnels, equipped with computers, lighting, size and depth that allow easy passage of trucks and, of course, motorcycles”https://t.co/vsLF7wCHaQ

r/t @streetwize pic.twitter.com/Ewq4h5RZxu

— John Spencer (@SpencerGuard) August 16, 2024

Diplomatic Maneuvering Amidst Rising Tensions

On the international stage, U.S. President Joe Biden has made it clear that avoiding a broader regional conflict is a top priority. Along with French President Emmanuel Macron and other global allies, Biden is pushing for a temporary ceasefire to explore diplomatic solutions. But while diplomacy churns in the background, the reality on the ground tells a different story.

Amir Avivi, a former senior Israeli military officer with access to the current defense strategy, believes the ground incursion is not a matter of "if," but "when." "The IDF has made exhaustive preparations for a ground invasion," Avivi said. “This always includes special operations, and what we’re seeing now is part of that preparation.” The real question now, according to Avivi, is how far Israel will advance into Lebanon, and under what terms they will eventually withdraw.

This video was released yesterday by Hezbollah, the Iranian-Backed Lebanese Terror Organization.

Hezbollah's extensive tunnel network poses a grave danger not only to Israel but also to the people of Lebanon.

By embedding its military infrastructure in civilian areas (schools,… pic.twitter.com/qWMLKAiGHv

— David Saranga (@DavidSaranga) August 17, 2024

Hezbollah’s Waning Power?

While Hezbollah’s bravado remains strong, some experts suggest the group is significantly weakened. Over the past few months, Israeli intelligence and precision strikes have crippled key elements of Hezbollah’s command structure. However, Hezbollah remains a dangerous foe, and any large-scale invasion into Lebanon risks igniting a regional firestorm. The scars from Israel’s previous engagements in Lebanon—especially those in 2000 and 2006—run deep, not just for Lebanon but also for Israel itself.

A large-scale invasion would likely be seen as highly provocative by Hezbollah's allies, including Iran, and could spark a broader conflict. Yet the alternative—allowing Hezbollah to regroup and prepare for a future attack—poses an even greater threat to the stability of the region.

The Numbers Behind the Conflict

The back-and-forth exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel since October have been relentless. Hezbollah’s missile and rocket fire has largely depopulated strips of land along both sides of the border. Since the beginning of the latest conflict, over 11,000 projectiles have been fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. Israel, in turn, has responded with more than 8,000 airstrikes, drone attacks, and artillery barrages targeting Hezbollah positions, destroying caches of weapons and critical infrastructure.

This week alone, Israel conducted its heaviest bombardment of Lebanon in years, striking more than 2,000 targets, according to the IDF. Meanwhile, intelligence operations and targeted strikes have dealt significant blows to Hezbollah’s leadership. Most notably, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a shadowy figure who had built Hezbollah into one of the most formidable non-state military forces in the world. Nasrallah’s death is not only a blow to Hezbollah but also a strategic victory for Israel, removing a key player in the conflict.

The Path Forward: What’s at Stake

Yet even with Nasrallah out of the picture, Hezbollah remains a force to be reckoned with. Thousands of highly trained fighters are entrenched along the border, and their tunnel networks provide a hidden and potentially devastating means of launching attacks on Israel. It’s clear that decapitating Hezbollah’s leadership is just one part of the equation. To truly neutralize the threat, Israel must dismantle Hezbollah’s operational capabilities and ensure that the northern border is secure enough for the tens of thousands of Israeli families displaced from their homes to return.

With a huge weapons arsenal and tunnel network stretching hundreds of miles in southern Lebanon Hezbollah is gearing up for what it calls a ‘historic opportunity’ ⬇️ https://t.co/VnuR7fvn9b

— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) September 25, 2024

According to U.S. sources, the next phase of Israel’s strategy may involve a series of limited ground incursions designed to further cripple Hezbollah’s ability to launch attacks. These smaller operations, which could take place within the next week, are aimed at debilitating Hezbollah’s positions while keeping the scope of the conflict contained. American officials have suggested that a full-scale ground invasion—if it occurs—would likely be limited in scope, focused on key military objectives rather than an extended occupation.

But the stakes are incredibly high. Israelis, still reeling from the horrors of the Hamas-led attacks in early October, demand assurance that such atrocities won’t be repeated. To fulfill that promise, Israeli military officials know they must go beyond merely neutralizing Hezbollah’s leadership. The terror group must be dismantled at its core, with its ability to terrorize northern Israel eradicated.

Only then can Israel ensure the safety of its citizens and maintain its strategic advantage in the region. The coming days and weeks may well determine the future not only of Hezbollah, but of the broader balance of power in the Middle East.