IDF Demolishes Hezbollah Tunnels Under Ali Taher Ridge

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday the destruction of Hezbollah's underground infrastructure on the Ali Taher ridge, a move confirmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. According to the officials, Hezbollah spent two decades building this strategic network with Iranian funding and planning, intending it as a base for invading the Galilee and controlling observation and fire over the Israeli towns of Metula and Kiryat Shmona.

During the operation, the IDF utilized over 1,100 tons of explosives to demolish the tunnel network, which comprised eight underground routes extending over 5,400 meters. The IDF reported discovering various weapons within the tunnels, including dozens of explosive drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, machine guns, anti-tank missiles, hundreds of mines, RPGs, explosive charges, and other military equipment.

This operation follows previous discoveries of Hezbollah tunnels aimed at mass infiltration into Israel during the 2018-2019 "Northern Shield" operation. In recent months, IDF forces, including the commando brigade and the Yahalom unit, intensified military pressure on militants occupying the Ali Taher tunnels. Commando troops first secured control of the area above ground through ambushes and shaft attacks, subsequently gaining control underground after a prolonged operation.

The IDF stated that some militants abandoned the area while others were eliminated. Those attempting to flee or supply the tunnels were targeted by air strikes and artillery fire. In one engagement, the Egoz unit killed a militant attempting to escape through a tunnel.

Netanyahu and Katz declared that the tunnel destruction "completes the achievement of operational control over the Ali Taher ridge, above and below ground." They added, "The IDF will remain in the security zone, continue to destroy terror infrastructure, and thwart any attempt by the Hezbollah terror organization to re-establish itself and restore its capabilities. The State of Israel will continue to defend the northern communities from within Lebanon, and any attempt to harm our citizens and our forces will be met with might."

IDF Spokesperson Efi Drorin visited the ridge and stated that most of the underground routes were rendered unusable for militant entrenchment. He noted that Hezbollah failed to defend the infrastructure despite vowing to do so, abandoning its operatives. Drorin acknowledged the heavy price paid by the IDF in securing the ridge, with fallen soldiers, dedicating the achievement to them. He pledged continued defense of northern communities and action against threats along all borders.