The IDF completed its capture of the strategic Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, according to the military. The ridge, which overlooks the city of Nabatieh, is now part of Israel's new security buffer zone and has been renamed Ma'ale Tahara.
Over the past 24 hours, the IDF completed the capture of the Ali Taher ridge, a strategically dominant high ground in southern Lebanon that overlooks the city of Nabatieh. The military stated that the ridge is now part of Israel's new security buffer zone and will remain under Israeli control indefinitely. The IDF has renamed the position 'Ma'ale Tahara'.
The ridge, rising to approximately 697 meters, was a focal point of ground operations in June 2026. As The Zioneer reported, Israeli forces first reached the ridge's outskirts on June 13, engaged in close-quarters combat with Hezbollah fighters through June 19-20, and faced Hezbollah threats to confront further IDF advances despite a ceasefire framework. The current announcement marks the formal completion of that campaign.
The timeline of corroboration has evolved: initial reports from June 13 were based on anonymous military sources and Lebanese media; by June 19, the IDF acknowledged the fighting publicly; the current update constitutes an official IDF statement via their Hebrew channel. Hezbollah's position on the ridge's loss has not been updated since their June 20 statement vowing to confront the IDF advance. The long-term security arrangement for the buffer zone remains undefined beyond Israel's declaration of permanent control.
2 developments
- StrongNew activity reported at Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon
- StrongIDF expands controlled area in southern Lebanon since April ceasefire, captures Ali al-Taher ridge — new map comparison shows
- StrongAl Jazeera confirms IDF maneuvering forces advancing toward Ali al-Taher ridge
- DevelopingFresh barrage of IDF heavy artillery pounds Ali al-Taher ridge
Source and signal
- Internal intake