IDF Reassures Position on Ali Taher Ridge, Warns Hezbollah and Lebanon
The IDF denies retreating from the Ali Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon after completing operations against Hezbollah infrastructure, warning that it will act if the Lebanese army fails to enforce security agreements.
IDF Reaffirms Position Following Ali Taher Ridge Operation
Commanders in the Northern Command clarified that despite destroying infrastructure on the Ali Taher Ridge, the IDF has not retreated. "There is no intention to withdraw. The yellow line is the line, and we will enforce our presence. We will reorganize our forces there now that the mission is complete," command sources stated on Friday.
The General Staff has yet to present the political echelon with the renewed defense line following the operational success on the ridge. According to Northern Command sources, the changes will be strictly tactical and will help preserve the operational achievement so far.
"There is no intention to withdraw. The yellow line is the line, and we will enforce our presence. We will reorganize our forces there now that the mission is complete."
Messages Exchanged Between Jerusalem and Beirut
In recent days, messages have been relayed between Beirut and Jerusalem through U.S. mediation, aimed at calming the area and clarifying that the IDF operation on the Ali Taher Ridge was intended to destroy terrorist infrastructure that operated against the Israeli home front and disrupted the lifestyle of Lebanese citizens in the area.
Sources in Lebanon told Walla recently that despite Israeli criticism, the Lebanese army is operating against "Хезболла" infrastructure and operatives in the area in accordance with the agreement between the parties, but it is clear that it is expected to accelerate the activity.
Chief of Staff Delivers Warning to Lebanon
The Chief of Staff, who visited the Northern Command and praised the IDF soldiers for destroying the terror infrastructure, delivered a message to the Lebanese army: To implement the memorandum of understanding between Lebanon and Israel, the Lebanese army must oppose "Хезболла" activity in southern Lebanon, collect weaponry, destroy existing infrastructure, and prevent the organization from re-establishing itself.
According to officers in the Northern Command, the challenge at the Ali Taher Ridge was very complex, and its success sends a message to "Хезболла" and the Lebanese government: If the Lebanese army does not act in accordance with the understandings, the IDF will do so, and will not allow the construction or maintenance of existing terror infrastructure that threatened northern communities.
