IDF Secures Ali Taher Ridge as Iran Denies IRGC Casualties in Lebanon
Iran denied IRGC casualties at Lebanon's Ali Taher ridge as the IDF consolidates control along the Yellow Line. Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that troops will not withdraw until Hezbollah is fully disarmed.
The Iranian Fars News Agency reported on Monday that no members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were trapped at the Ali Taher ridge, stating that previous reports were incorrect. According to the Iranian report, 48 Hezbollah operatives were deployed in tunnels at the facility, eight of whom were killed. Since the destruction of the tunnels at the ridge, which housed a strategic Hezbollah facility, the IDF has begun redeploying in the area, primarily along the Yellow Line. The withdrawal from the ridge began even before the tunnels were destroyed, and IDF forces are now stationed at dominant vantage points to control the ridge through observation and firepower.
Israeli Security Stance and Statements
Israel prepared for the possibility that Hezbollah or Iran would respond to the tunnel explosion in some manner, but the Iranian denial came after various international media outlets cited Iranian sources claiming Tehran might retaliate for the harm inflicted on its personnel in the tunnels. For instance, The New York Times claimed that the capture of the ridge was a "crossing of a red line" and that Iranian advisors were present at the site.
"As Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have clarified many times: we are not moving from the security zone, and the IDF will not withdraw or redeploy until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon." — Minister of Defense Israel Katz
Minister of Defense Israel Katz stated last night that the Ali Taher ridge "is part of the Yellow Line and Israel's security zone in Lebanon, which spans 700 square kilometers from the Mediterranean coast in the west, through the Beaufort Castle, to the Mount Hermon area in the east."
IDF Operations and Cache Discoveries
IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin visited the ridge and stated that the underground network was built over two decades with the funding and direction of the Iranian terror regime. In recent months, forces encircled the area and intensified pressure on the routes and the terrorists barricaded inside.
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Eight underground complexes were located at the Ali Taher ridge.
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Dozens of explosive drones, UAVs, machine guns, and anti-tank missiles were found.
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Hundreds of mines, RPG rockets, explosives, and additional military equipment were seized.
When IDF forces identified terrorists attempting to flee or bring supplies to the location, they were swiftly eliminated via airstrikes and artillery fire. In one incident, during an engagement by the Egoz Unit, a terrorist was eliminated face-to-face while attempting to escape from one of the tunnels.
