Israeli military claims control of Lebanon’s strategic Ali Al-Taher ridge

According to the Saudi Gazette, the Israeli military has announced that it has gained operational control over the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. The announcement follows a period of heightened tensions and sporadic clashes in the region, which is believed to house significant underground military infrastructure utilized by Hezbollah.

Israeli military officials stated that the control of the area was achieved through a series of coordinated offensive maneuvers, including the use of drone strikes, mortar fire, and ground-based ambushes. The military reported that during the clearing operations of the underground routes, troops encountered and neutralized several fighters, while others reportedly retreated from the site.

Inside the discovered underground facilities, the Israeli military claims to have uncovered a complex network of operational rooms, storage areas for combat equipment, and logistical support spaces, including kitchens and sleeping quarters. These findings, according to the military, confirm the strategic importance of the ridge to Hezbollah's operational capabilities in the area.

This development comes against a backdrop of increasing regional volatility. Earlier, Iranian officials issued a warning to Washington, suggesting that a full-scale Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon could provoke a forceful response from Tehran. As of Thursday, the Israeli military indicated that operations in the vicinity of the Ali al-Taher ridge remain ongoing as forces continue to secure the area.