Israel Warns Hezbollah: Approach Border Ridge, Face Destruction

Following the destruction of Hezbollah's terror tunnels and the elimination of operatives on the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military is reinforcing its control over the area. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are operationally preparing to enforce control of the ridge, aiming to prevent any entity from re-establishing a military presence there. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Sunday that the Ali Taher ridge is part of Israel's "blue line" and its security zone in Lebanon. "Anyone who approaches the ridge will be destroyed," Katz declared, emphasizing that the IDF is preparing operationally to control the ridge and prevent Hezbollah or any other group from re-establishing a foothold.

Katz elaborated on the border area and Israel's policy, defining the security zone as encompassing 700 square kilometers from the coast to the Beaufort Castle and the Mount Hermon region. He reiterated Prime Minister Netanyahu's and his own stance: "We are not moving from the security zone, and the IDF will not retreat or redeploy until Hezbollah is disarmed in all of Lebanon." The Defense Minister also outlined the planned operational response, stating the IDF will continue to operate forcefully in the security zone, thwarting terrorists and their infrastructure both above and below ground, and eliminating any threat to Israeli forces.

According to a Channel 12 report, the IDF withdrew from the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon after completing the destruction of Hezbollah's underground complex. The army is reportedly reorganizing along the blue line, with a decision not to withdraw from Beaufort Castle at this time. The move comes as the military assesses its ongoing troop deployment in the sector. Despite the withdrawal from the ridge itself, the IDF continued to strike targets in the Ali Taher area and nearby villages throughout the holiday, seeking to prevent Hezbollah operatives from returning to the cleared territory.