IDF Details Four-Month Operation to Destroy Hezbollah's Ali Taher Ridge Stronghold

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has revealed new details about a complex, four-month operation to dismantle Hezbollah's strategic command center and extensive underground infrastructure located at the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. The operation, which concluded recently, involved a sophisticated deception maneuver to mislead Hezbollah about the IDF's crossing point, allowing Israeli forces to attack the terror group's "Flame Breaker" infrastructure from the rear. This surprise element reportedly caused Hezbollah operatives to flee, leaving behind equipment and documents.

During the intense fighting, IDF soldiers operated in exposed terrain above a network of tunnels where dozens of Hezbollah fighters were entrenched. Intelligence on the precise location of all tunnel entrances was gathered during the combat itself. The IDF estimates that approximately 50 Hezbollah operatives were in the area, with the majority eliminated. Some attempted to escape under the cover of fog, while others continued to fight from within the tunnels. An additional ten operatives attempting to reinforce the Hezbollah forces were also killed.

Hezbollah attempted to resupply the entrenched fighters via drones, delivering operational equipment, communication devices, food, cigarettes, and even chocolate. IDF forces identified these supply drops, waited for the operatives to emerge from the tunnels to collect them, and then engaged them. The IDF offered the remaining fighters a chance to surrender with a white flag, but they refused. Some attempted to flee the area against orders.

In total, approximately 5.4 kilometers of underground tunnels were destroyed using about 1,100 tons of explosives. The IDF described the operation as one of the most challenging of the war, partly due to the difficulty of transporting large quantities of explosives to the ridge under threat from explosive drones. Secrecy was maintained throughout the operation to prevent Hezbollah from understanding the IDF's location and plan. The IDF stated that Hezbollah attempted to fire at the area to locate the forces and sought assistance from Iran, but no direct Iranian operational activity has been detected in response to the complex's destruction.

The destroyed infrastructure, built over two decades with Iranian funding and guidance, served as a base for Hezbollah's "Badr unit" and was allegedly part of a plan to conquer the Galilee. IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Avi Daffin stated that weapons manufactured in Iran were found in the tunnels, further evidence of Hezbollah being an "arm of the Iranian terror regime." The operation is seen as a significant blow to Hezbollah and a direct message to Iran.