The Israeli military said it had completed an operation against a Hezbollah underground complex in the Ali al-Taher heights area of southern Lebanon. According to the military, dozens of the organization’s fighters were killed inside the fortification, while Israeli units established fire control over the heights before withdrawing to rear positions near Shakif Castle.
The operation was preceded by several weeks of preparation. It began after Israeli forces seized Shakif Castle and crossed the Litani River, while units of the 36th Division began striking military infrastructure north of the river. The Israeli military considers the Ali al-Taher complex one of Hezbollah’s key command centers in the area.
According to the Israeli account, the complex consisted of eight tunnels with a combined length of more than 5.4 kilometers and enabled surveillance over a vast area. The operation was carried out in stages: reconnaissance and surveillance equipment was destroyed, tunnel entrances were exposed, the fighters inside were trapped, and an assault was then launched with drone and air support. The military said it used more than 1,100 tons of explosives to destroy the network and also discovered drones, anti-tank missiles, and other weapons.
The Israeli military claims that about 50 Hezbollah fighters were inside, some of whom managed to escape during the fighting. According to the military, those who remained were offered the chance to surrender, but after refusing, they were killed when the complex was blown up. Following the operation, Israel increased the readiness of its air-defense systems because of a possible response from Iran or Hezbollah, but reported no signs of an imminent attack being prepared. The authorities said the United States had been informed about the operation in advance and had passed the information to the Lebanese government; independent data on casualties has not yet been published.
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How do Shakif Castle and the Ali al-Taher heights affect control over southern Lebanon, particularly given their location relative to the Litani River and the border with Israel? — Shakif Castle (Beaufort) overlooks the Litani River valley and important roads leading to the Israeli border. Whoever controls this high ground gains advantages in surveillance, defense, and potential fire control over a significant part of southern Lebanon. The Ali al-Taher heights are also strategically important: they provide observation of border areas and routes leading toward the Litani. Together, these positions form an important system for controlling movement and defense in the region, although they do not by themselves guarantee complete control over the territory.
What role does Hezbollah play in Lebanon’s political and military life, and why are its underground facilities in this region so important for the country’s security? — Hezbollah is simultaneously a political party, a social organization, and an armed movement with considerable influence, particularly among the Shiite population. It participates in elections and state institutions but maintains an independent military structure that is not fully subordinate to Lebanon’s government bodies. Underground facilities in southern Lebanon allow weapons to be stored covertly, personnel to be moved, and command posts to be protected from surveillance and airstrikes. Their presence complicates Israel’s operations and increases the risk of a large-scale escalation, making them significant not only to the confrontation with Israel but also to Lebanon’s sovereignty and internal security.
Full version: Hezbollah Members Chose Death: Israel Withdraws from the Ali al-Taher Heights and Reveals Details of the Explosion