IDF Destroys Ali Taher Terror Tunnels

"Their destruction completes the achievement of operational control at the Ali Taher Ridge, above and below ground," the Prime Minister and Defense Minister stated.

The IDF disclosed that in recent months, forces from Division 36, the Commando Brigade, and the Yahalom Unit operated at the ridge. Commando fighters first achieved operational control above ground through ambushes, attacking shafts, gunfire, grenades, drones, and fire strikes. Subsequently, forces also operated underground and achieved operational control of the infrastructure beneath the ridge.

In total, eight underground routes were located at the ridge with a cumulative length of more than 5,400 meters. Inside the infrastructure, dozens of Iranian-made rockets, missiles and UAVs were found, along with explosive drones, machine guns, dozens of anti-tank missiles, hundreds of mines and explosives, RPG rockets and additional military equipment.

Within the underground network, a central command compound of Hezbollah's "Badr" unit was also located, containing command centers, weapons rooms and living quarters that enabled terrorists to manage combat operations and remain in place for extended periods.

During the operation, some terrorists who were at the ridge abandoned the area while others were eliminated. According to the IDF, terrorists who attempted to leave the routes or bring supplies to them were eliminated in airstrikes and artillery fire. In another instance, fighters from the Egoz Unit eliminated a terrorist in close-quarters combat as he tried to escape from one of the routes.

After achieving operational control, the IDF proceeded to destroy the infrastructure. To destroy it, forces used more than 1,100 tons of explosives. The military stated that at the operation's conclusion, most of the underground routes at the ridge were destroyed in a manner that will not allow them to be used again for terrorist fortification and planning terror routes.

Netanyahu and Katz announced that the operation at the ridge completes the organization of the security zone in southern Lebanon and that IDF forces will remain in the area.

"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 rebuild its capabilities," the two stated.

The IDF noted that forces are now preparing in a renewed deployment in the security area. This follows the destruction of the routes at the Ali Taher Ridge as well as the main routes at the Beaufort Ridge and in the villages of Arnoun, Yohmor and Tebnit.

"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 force," Netanyahu and Katz stated.

The IDF added that even after the operation's completion, forces are prepared for a range of scenarios, including multi-arena scenarios, and emphasized that the IDF continues to be committed to the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.