IDF Secures Ali Taher Ridge, Clears Hezbollah Tunnels

The Israel Defense Forces have secured the strategic Ali Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon, clearing a vast underground tunnel complex used by Hezbollah fighters. The operation, announced by Israeli officials on Thursday, September 3, 2026, marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict along the border. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the capture of the ridge completed a phase in consolidating Israel's hold on its security zone in southern Lebanon. He explained that the decision to advance was based on intelligence indicating the presence of Hezbollah command-and-control tunnels, which served as a hub for attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed the clearance, stating the facility no longer threatened Israel and that numerous fighters were eliminated. The underground network, described by the IDF as a strategic fortress built over two decades with Iranian funding and planning, contained command centers, weapons storage, and living quarters. The military reported that troops established operational control both above and below ground, neutralizing the enemy's ability to launch attacks from these routes.