The IDF said it identified four Hezbollah operatives on a bulldozer and motorcycle who crossed into the security zone on the Ali al-Taher ridge and approached troops. Warning shots and calls to halt were ignored; forces then fired to remove the immediate threat. A hit was confirmed. The military said the operatives used civilian cover — the second such encounter reported by the IDF on the ridge today.
The IDF reported a fresh engagement on the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon, the second such incident today. According to the military, four Hezbollah operatives riding a bulldozer and a motorcycle crossed into the security zone and approached Israeli troops. Warning shots and calls to halt were ignored; forces then fired to remove the immediate threat, confirming a hit. The IDF stated the operatives were acting under civilian cover.
This incident follows closely on a similar one earlier Tuesday, first reported by The Zioneer at 16:22 Jerusalem time. In that case, four Hezbollah operatives also crossed the Yellow Line and were engaged by Israeli forces. The thread further shows an earlier report at 13:14 Jerusalem of IDF firing on Hezbollah operatives using civilian cover at the same ridge, with a hit confirmed. Over subsequent versions, the IDF confirmed the elimination of operatives and accused Hezbollah of using civilian cover for its activity.
The Ali al-Taher ridge has been a flashpoint for weeks. As The Zioneer reported on Saturday June 20, Hezbollah publicly reaffirmed its commitment to the June ceasefire but said it would confront any IDF advances in the area. The IDF has been operating on the ridge to clear remaining Hezbollah positions and prevent the group from regaining a foothold close to the border.
No Israeli casualties were reported in either Tuesday incident. The military has not provided details on the fate of the operatives hit in the later engagement.
15 developments
- DevelopingIDF eliminates Hezbollah operatives threatening troops at Ali al-Taher Ridge
- DevelopingHezbollah warns of 'blatant' ceasefire violations as IDF kills five operatives at Ali al-Taher ridge
- ConfirmedIDF confirms second strike of the day in Nabatieh, hits Hezbollah operatives approaching troops
- StrongIDF strikes Hezbollah operatives in Security Zone, dismantles four Gaza rocket launch sites
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