The Lead
Four IDF soldiers were killed Friday during a strategic operation to seize a massive Hezbollah underground network on the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. The military disclosed that the force, led by Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, was targeting what officials describe as the "nerve center" of Hezbollah's regional operations, even as the group launched a barrage of 147 rockets and dozens of drones at Israeli troops.
The IDF has provided new details regarding the mission that claimed the lives of Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, commander of the 52nd Battalion, and three of his crew members. According to a senior officer, the force was operating to capture a massive underground network on the Ali Taher ridge. The infrastructure includes multiple compounds, with one tunnel extending over a kilometer and others spanning several hundred meters. The military identifies this site as the main headquarters of Hezbollah's Badr unit.
Ongoing Underground Combat
As of Saturday night, the IDF reports that dozens of Hezbollah operatives are currently trapped and surrounded within the underground complex. Fighting is ongoing as the remaining Hezbollah forces show resistance in an attempt to protect the personnel inside. The military emphasized that the decision to target this specific infrastructure was based on professional security considerations regarding the dismantling of strategic threats. Hezbollah has intensified its attacks in response, firing 147 rockets, 20 drones, and 9 anti-tank missiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
Investigation into the Tank Strike
Initial findings from the IDF's investigation into the fatal incident indicate that the tank was not disabled by a mechanical failure. Instead, evidence points to an external strike, likely from a drone carrying an anti-tank missile warhead. The incident occurred around 00:20 on Friday morning near Kfar Tibnit during the advance toward the ridge. The IDF responded with extensive strikes against targets in the Nabatieh area.
Ceasefire Context and Outlook
In response to claims that the operation violates the ceasefire, a senior IDF officer asserted that the Ali Taher ridge is located south of the "yellow line"—the boundary defined by the IDF for its operational control. While the military maintains that these rules were coordinated with the political echelon, it acknowledges that the map may not be accepted by Hezbollah. The situation remains developing as the IDF continues to operate against the besieged operatives in the strategic complex.
10 developments
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