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Israel says its forces seized strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon

Defence Minister Israel Katz announced troops cleared Hezbollah underground positions on the key highland near Nabatieh.

The short version

  • Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli troops gained operational control of the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon after clearing Hezbollah tunnels.
  • The highland is located about 10 kilometers from the border and overlooks the Litani River and the city of Nabatieh.
  • Hezbollah has not officially verified the loss of the ridge, and independent verification was not immediately available.

Key facts

  • Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that Israeli forces completed an operation to seize the Ali al-Taher ridge and clear underground tunnels of Hezbollah fighters.[France 24]
  • The Israeli military stated that the underground network under the ridge contained command centers and weapons storage facilities built over two decades with Iranian funding.[France 24]
  • The ridge sits approximately 10 kilometers from the Israeli border, overlooking the Litani River, the city of Nabatieh, and the Iqlim al-Tuffah area.[France 24]

What remains uncertain

  • Hezbollah did not immediately comment on or confirm the Israeli military's claim of full operational control over the ridge.[France 24]
  • Independent verification of the ridge's operational status and the extent of casualties remains unavailable.[France 24]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.