Israel on Tuesday claimed that its troops have been carrying out raids into southern Lebanon for months. Hezbollah tunnels were identified, weapon caches under homes and invasion plans by the groups were uncovered, said Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari.
While disclosing the details of the classified operation, Hagari said several weapons were seized and destroyed. His disclosure came hours after Israel announced a ground operation against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
"Our soldiers entered Hezbollah's underground infrastructure; exposed Hezbollah's hidden weapons caches and seized and destroyed the weapons including advanced, Iranian-made weapons," Hagari said.
The findings and evidence discovered under homes in southern Lebanon will be presented to the international community, he added.
The videos filmed on troops’ body cameras revealed Hezbollah tunnels under the Lebanese villages. Israel claimed that the tunnels lie across the border from three Israeli towns.
Maps of the Israeli communities and army posts were also discovered.
“The operations that we de-classified tonight are only a small number of dozens of operations that we will reveal going forward, including the destruction of Hezbollah's strategic assets and capabilities," said Hagari.
He also added that the ground raids would continue until tens of thousands of uprooted Israelis living near the border can return safely to their homes.
IDF ordered the residents of about 30 border villages in south Lebanon to evacuate in the wake of the ground incursion.
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"The IDF does not want to harm you and for your own safety you must evacuate your homes immediately," said Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
Hezbollah had vowed to continue the fight after its chief Hassan Nasrallah died in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut. Along with Nasrallah, 19 other senior Hezbollah leaders were killed.
Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem had warned Israel that they are using only a fraction of its capabilities to attack Israel. “We are prepared for a long fight,” Qassem said.