The Israeli military reported on Thursday that it has destroyed Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure at a significant site in southern Lebanon, specifically at the Ali al-Taher ridge. This announcement follows Israel's claim of having established operational control over the ridge, located approximately 15 km (10 miles) from the Israeli border. Israeli government officials stated that the operation aims to strengthen its security zone in the area.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement confirming that Israeli forces would remain in the region to prevent Hezbollah, which is aligned with Iran, from re-establishing its presence and rebuilding its capabilities. Katz had previously stated that Israeli forces had expelled Hezbollah fighters from a network of tunnels in the contested area.
According to Reuters, unnamed Lebanese security sources indicated that Hezbollah had constructed an underground command center and weapons storage at the site in July. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the Israeli military executed a significant blast at the ridge, with tremors felt in Nabatieh and surrounding regions.
The Israeli military detailed that it had established operational control over both the surface and underground areas of the ridge before dismantling the infrastructure, which extended over 2 km (just over 1 mile) and included numerous rockets, missiles, drones, anti-tank missiles, mines, and explosive devices. The military also noted that a central command complex belonging to Hezbollah’s Badr unit was part of the underground infrastructure, which included command centers, weapons storage rooms, and living quarters for fighters.
Iran reportedly warned the United States last month of a potential forceful response if Israeli attacks on the ridge persisted. Despite a ceasefire agreed upon in June, Israeli strikes and ground operations around the Ali al-Taher ridge have continued. This ceasefire was part of a US-brokered framework that called for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon while Lebanese troops disarm Hezbollah. However, the process has stalled, as Hezbollah has refused to relinquish its weapons, and Israel has stated it will not withdraw until the group disarms.
Since 2023, Israel has advanced into southern Lebanon, seizing several strategic positions and asserting the need to maintain a buffer zone between its territory and Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.