Israel says it has established control over Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military said it had established operational control over the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon and had driven Hezbollah fighters out of tunnels beneath it. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said this on Friday.
According to Katz, the operation has been completed and the tunnels were “cleared of terrorists.” The Israeli army said the previous day that it had operational control over the ridge.
Statements by the Israeli army
The Israeli military claims that some Hezbollah fighters were killed, while others fled. The army also said that the tunnel network contained command centres and weapons storage facilities.
The Israeli side described the infrastructure as a strategic underground network which, according to its version, had been built over two decades, with Iran providing funding and planning. Hezbollah did not immediately comment on Katz’s statement, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the status of the ridge, France 24 reports.
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Location of the ridge
Ali al-Taher is located near the city of Nabatieh and the Litani River, about 10 kilometres from the border with Israel. The ridge rises above the Iqlim al-Tuffah area, where Hezbollah has influence, as well as part of eastern Lebanon.
Kahwaji, head of the INEGMA military analysis institute, said that control of the high ground could make it easier for Israeli troops to move in both directions. A few kilometres away is the UNESCO-listed Beaufort Castle, which Israel has captured in recent months, according to the source.
Last month, Hezbollah spokesperson Youssef al-Zein declined to name the number of the group’s fighters at the Ali al-Taher position. He denied the presence of Iranian personnel there and said the group would defend the position as much as it could.
After launching a new campaign against Hezbollah in March, Israel expanded its military presence in parts of southern Lebanon. In June, the Israeli army published an updated map of the area it calls a “security zone” and where its troops operate; it also included the Ali al-Taher ridge.
