Netanyahu Declares Major Victory Over Hezbollah After Capturing Key Lebanese Ridge

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have achieved a significant victory over Hezbollah with the destruction of the organization's major terror stronghold on the Beaufort and Ali Taher ridges in Lebanon. This announcement follows a large-scale IDF operation that lasted approximately three months in the area.

Netanyahu stated, "We have achieved another huge victory over Hezbollah. We have destroyed its major terror stronghold on the Beaufort and Ali Taher ridges." He emphasized Israel's policy of continuing to destroy terror infrastructure within Lebanon's security zone and removing any threat to the State of Israel. The Prime Minister issued a stern warning to Israel's enemies, stating that any further attacks would result in even heavier blows.

The operation on the Ali Taher ridge, conducted by forces from the 36th Division, Commando Brigade, and the Yahalom unit, involved the demolition of over 1,100 tons of explosives. During the operation, forces destroyed the headquarters of Hezbollah's Badr unit and eliminated numerous terrorists who were entrenched in deep terror tunnels. The IDF also located advanced Iranian-made weaponry intended to harm Israeli forces and northern communities.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the 36th Division after the operation's completion, confirming the destruction of underground terror infrastructure on the Ali Taher ridge, following the neutralization of the tunnel network on the Beaufort ridge. He described this as part of a vast system built over years with significant investment, serving as Hezbollah's central command, control, and fighting infrastructure, aided by Iran.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the IDF is operationally prepared to control the ridge and prevent any attempts by Hezbollah or other entities to re-establish a presence there. He warned that anyone approaching the Ali Taher ridge would be eliminated. Katz reiterated that Israel will not withdraw from the security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon.

Lt. Gen. Zamir also issued a strong warning to villages in southern Lebanon, stating that any village harboring terrorists or terror infrastructure endangers itself, citing examples of villages like Qantara and Majdal Zoun that were impacted due to terror infrastructure being built beneath civilian homes.