The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, in a Hezbollah bunker in southern Lebanon

“From here they could have invaded Israel. We caught this in time, and this infrastructure must not return here in future generations.”

The Chief of the General Staff, together with the Commanding Officer of the Northern Command and the Commanding Officer of the 98th Division, patrolled the underground Hezbollah terrorist compound in southern Lebanon, which was later destroyed by IDF forces. 

Below are the full remarks:
"We’re located not far from the border; there is a very developed tunnel system here that includes bathrooms, showers, kitchens, and many weapon storage facilities. There’s a room here that can accommodate an entire military company. It’s possible to stay here, live here, equip yourself here, and head east for an invasion into Israel. We have been saying for years that Hezbollah is preparing the area of the border for war. To the countries that doubted it, to the UN, to the UNIFIL force that was (stationed) up here, this evidence is key to understanding why we are operating above and below ground and why we need to ensure these things do not return here. We caught this in time, before it was too late, and this infrastructure must not return here in future generations. 

I saw the point of entry, the amount of AK-47 bullets on the floor, the fighting that took place there, the detonation of the explosives, like the grenades, like the IEDs that are here and were ready here for intense combat. In the end, by operating properly, you dismantled (this infrastructure) very, very correctly. The enemy that was here was eliminated, and now the mission is to destroy it completely; there can't be anything left here that (the enemy) returns to and operates from. Our task over the years to come will be to make sure that no new (infrastructure) is built—that is no less important. You overcame a very very complex operational challenge, and you did so in a manner that deserves great appreciation. I am telling you that in many years time, you will walk around here, drive around with your grandchildren in the Hula Valley, and you’ll know that you freed the Ramim Ridge from a big threat, a substantial threat."