IDF Continues High Alert During Rosh Hashanah Holiday
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that all regular and reserve forces are maintaining a high state of alert across all fronts during the Rosh Hashanah holiday, following the destruction of a significant tunnel network in the Al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon the previous day. Northern Command forces are operating in southern Lebanon and Syria, while Central Command forces are deployed to strengthen defenses and counter-terrorism in the Judea and Samaria region. Southern Command forces are positioned along the "Blue Line" (the border with Lebanon) and will continue to address immediate threats. The Air Force is safeguarding the airspace, and the Navy is protecting maritime space and freedom of navigation.
In preparation for the holiday, the IDF's Central Command recently completed a series of drills, call-ups, and readiness checks in the Judea and Samaria division. This included dozens of exercises, such as a two-brigade drill along the seam line and brigade-level exercises across all regional brigades, alongside inspections and readiness reviews. These activities coincided with intensified counter-terrorism operations, resulting in the arrest of over 220 wanted individuals.
The IDF also revealed details of a complex operation that lasted approximately four months, involving deception tactics against Hezbollah, prolonged combat against dozens of militants entrenched underground, and efforts to prevent escalation into a direct confrontation with Iran. The operation focused on destroying the Al-Taher ridge tunnel system, which housed an estimated 50 Hezbollah operatives. The IDF estimates that most were eliminated, though the exact number of escapees is unknown. Elite units, including Egoz and Maglan, were involved in clearing the tunnels, with the Yahalom engineering unit undertaking the dangerous task of planting over 1,100 tons of explosives to destroy more than 5,000 meters of tunnels.
IDF officers stated that Hezbollah abandoned the remaining militants in the area and that the region is now devoid of the organization's infrastructure. They emphasized that the IDF has not withdrawn from the security zone in southern Lebanon and warned that any approach to the Blue Line would be met with fire. The IDF is also repositioning to control fire over the area, which could serve as leverage in negotiations with the Lebanese government. The operation concluded with the destruction of the tunnel infrastructure, described by commanders as one of the most complex ever undertaken.
