IDF forces are tightening pressure on dozens of Hezbollah terrorists believed to be trapped inside an underground complex in southern Lebanon’s strategic Ali Taher ridge, cutting water supply lines and seeking to prevent supplies from reaching them, according to Lebanese reports Tuesday.
The Hezbollah operatives remain barricaded inside the underground infrastructure and have not been defeated or forced to surrender, the reports said. They have reportedly attempted to bring equipment and supplies into the complex using drones as Israeli forces work to isolate the site.
IDF forces operating in southern Lebanon
(Photo: IDF)
The military has not publicly commented on the operation and has referred questions about it to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Israeli forces are seeking to block attempts to smuggle supplies into the complex as they maintain surveillance and fire control over large parts of the area, according to information about the operation.
In some sections, Israel is exercising control through observation and the ability to strike targets rather than through the physical presence of ground troops. That allows the military to use airstrikes against parts of the complex while limiting the exposure of IDF soldiers operating on the ground.
The Ali Taher ridge is a strategically significant area in southern Lebanon near the Beaufort Castle and overlooking parts of the border region. Israeli forces have been operating in the area amid continuing tensions with Hezbollah despite the ceasefire arrangements intended to halt fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist group.
Netanyahu referred to the operation Sunday but provided few details. “In recent days Israel has acted forcefully in Lebanon, eliminating terrorists, including on the Ali Taher ridge,” Netanyahu said. “I can’t elaborate on it. We are in the midst of a very important operation. We are working with careful judgment and prudence.”
The IDF has limited control over the area, and the sensitivity surrounding Israel’s military presence in Lebanon has complicated efforts to deal with the underground complex.
Israel had previously refrained from taking more extensive action at the site because of diplomatic sensitivities surrounding military operations in Lebanon.
The latest operation follows an escalation in the same area last month, when Hezbollah launched an explosive-laden first-person-view (FPV) drone at an Israeli military engineering vehicle in southern Lebanon.
The drone struck the vehicle during an Israeli patrol on the Ali Taher ridge. No injuries were reported.
The military described the attack at the time as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement.
“Troops continue to operate in the ridge area and will not allow terrorists to advance or carry out terrorist activity,” the military said following the attack.
IDF forces demolish an underground tunnel network in the Beaufort sector, southern Lebanon
(Video: IDF)
The vehicle was struck in an area where 36th Division troops have been operating along what Israel refers to as the "yellow line."
Israel responded to the drone attack with a major operation against Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure near Beaufort Castle, a prominent medieval fortress in southern Lebanon that occupies high ground overlooking the surrounding region.
Israeli forces destroyed Hezbollah tunnels in the area using about 700 metric tons of explosives, according to the IDF.
The demolition produced a powerful blast that could be felt across the border in northern Israel. Before the explosion, residents of border communities in the Galilee Panhandle were advised to leave their windows open because of concerns that the force of the blast could shatter glass.