The IDF is preparing to demolish the Ali al-Taher ridge, pending approval from the political echelon expected in the coming days, according to a security source.
Tonight, The Zioneer reported that the IDF is preparing to demolish the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, pending approval from the political echelon expected in the coming days. According to military analyst Yossi Yehoshua, the IDF is intensifying pressure on the political leadership for approval, while simultaneously warning Iran that any military intervention will be met with a blow it 'never imagined'.
The Zioneer first reported the demolition preparations at 20:12 Jerusalem tonight, and in a separate analysis by Yossi Yehoshua detailed the IDF's push for approval and the warning to Iran. The ridge has been a repeated target of Israeli operations for months: The Zioneer reported heavy artillery strikes on the ridge on July 8, sustained daily barrages on July 24, and combined strikes on August 1. The IDF stated on July 31 that forces were maintaining high readiness on the ridge, committed to the ceasefire but prepared to respond to any attack.
The broader context includes the ongoing IDF ground maneuver in southern Lebanon, which has resulted in 30 soldiers killed and over 1,300 wounded since March 2, as reported by The Zioneer on June 12. The IDF previously exposed Hezbollah's primary underground headquarters on the Ali al-Taher ridge, as reported on June 20, underscoring the ridge's strategic importance.
The demolition, if approved, would mark a significant escalation in operations in the area. However, political approval remains pending, and the timing of a decision is not yet clear, according to security sources.
7 developments
- StrongIDF to reduce forces, draw new security line closer to border after destroying Hezbollah tunnels on Ali Taher ridge
- DevelopingAl-Manar reports Israeli drone strike on Ali al-Taher in southern Lebanon
- DevelopingIran pushing for ceasefire to stall IDF operations on Ali Taher ridge, per analyst
- Developingi24NEWS: IDF destroys tunnel route on Ali Taher ridge north of Nabatieh
Source and signal
- Open-source intake