Israel Claims Capture and Clearing of Hezbollah Command Ridge in Southern Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced Friday the completion of an operation to capture and clear the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, a strategic area overlooking the eastern Galilee. The operation, which involved difficult terrain and heavy fighting, aimed to neutralize Hezbollah command and control tunnels located on the ridge. Gallant stated that the tunnels served as a central command for attacks on Israeli forces and the Galilee, and were a crucial defensive position for Hezbollah protecting the Nabatieh area.

The Israeli military, or IDF, conducted the operation under heavy secrecy due to concerns for soldier safety. Gallant praised the determination of the IDF command and the bravery of the soldiers involved, confirming that the mission was completed and the tunnels were cleared of militants. The IDF will now work to neutralize the tunnels and establish a tactical presence to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing itself in the area.

According to a source from Iran's Revolutionary Guards, speaking to The New York Times, between 70 and 100 Hezbollah operatives, including Iranian advisors from the Quds Force, were captured in tunnels beneath the Ali Taher ridge since the IDF took control in June. The source claimed that Hezbollah's attempts to supply the trapped militants with food and water were unsuccessful, and any who tried to escape were killed by the IDF. Efforts by Iran and Hezbollah to extract the militants and their weaponry from the tunnels have reportedly failed.