In Lebanon, IDF commander calls battle for Ali al-Taher ridge the hardest in three years
The commander of Israel’s Egoz special forces unit, a lieutenant colonel whose name was not disclosed, called the battle for the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon the hardest to win among all combat areas in which the Israel Defense Forces have operated over the past three years. He told The Jerusalem Post.
According to the officer, the operation to capture the ridge at the edge of the IDF’s area of operations in southern Lebanon lasted several months. He claimed that dozens of Hezbollah militants were hiding in the tunnel complex, with their number estimated at about 50 people. The Israeli military reported that it had established control over the ridge on September 3.
Tunnel complex
The IDF called the operation to destroy 14 tunnel routes with a total length of about 5.4 kilometers “Chisel of Flame.” According to the Egoz commander, the ascent to the ridge, about 600 meters high, was extremely difficult and had few routes. In his assessment, this made it easier to mine the approaches to the underground complex.
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The commander also reported an unprecedented number of explosive-laden drones that, according to him, were directed against Egoz fighters during the operation.
Cameras and explosive devices
A captain from the Yahalom special unit, who identified himself only by the letter “D,” said that the approaches to the complex and its interior premises were equipped with surveillance cameras and improvised explosive devices for short- and long-range use. According to him, after passing one explosive device, troops could come under the effect of another.
Both officers described large boulders in the terrain as an additional obstacle. According to them, Egoz and Yahalom units cleared the way for other forces and blew up the entire complex. They also claimed that Iran made a significant contribution to the technological and tactical setup of this Hezbollah facility.
