Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a direct threat on Sunday, declaring that Israeli forces would eliminate anyone who attempts to approach the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon.
Katz stated that the military is actively preparing to maintain strict control over the high ground following operations that killed Hezbollah operatives and destroyed extensive underground tunnel networks beneath the hill. He emphasized that the Israeli Defense Forces intend to prevent Hezbollah or any other entity from re-establishing a physical or operational presence in the immediate area.
Strategic Value and the Self-Declared Security Zone
According to the defense minister, the Ali al-Taher ridge serves as a pivotal anchor within what Israel terms its "yellow line"—a self-declared buffer zone inside Lebanese territory encompassing approximately 700 square kilometers. Katz reaffirmed that Israeli troops will not withdraw or redeploy from the designated perimeter until Hezbollah is completely disarmed throughout Lebanon.
Geographically situated north of the Litani River between Kfar Tibnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, the ridge holds substantial tactical significance due to its elevated vantage point commanding views over large portions of southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously characterized the underground facility embedded beneath the ridge as the largest Iranian-funded military installation outside of Iran.
Demolition of Underground Infrastructure and Human Toll
The latest statements follow a controlled detonation executed by the Israeli military on the Ali al-Taher ridge on Thursday. Israeli defense officials confirmed that the blast demolished a sophisticated Hezbollah subterranean command and logistics hub that extended for more than two kilometers.
The structural demolition followed earlier claims by Israeli officials that forces had completed clearing operations on the ridge. Neither Lebanese government representatives nor Hezbollah leaders issued an immediate public response to Katz's warnings.
The military actions come against the backdrop of sustained regional hostilies, with official Lebanese data indicating that ongoing Israeli strikes across Lebanon have resulted in nearly 4,400 fatalities and over 12,500 injuries since March. Israeli forces continue to occupy several border positions and strategic vantage points across southern Lebanon.
