Security analyst Yair Goldblatt reports that Israeli officials are holding discussions on how to respond to a Hezbollah violation in which an explosive drone was launched toward an IDF D9. One option under consideration is to blow up the tunnels beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. The report is based on a single source and has not been independently confirmed.
More than a day after Hezbollah's explosive drone struck an IDF D9 armored vehicle on the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, Israeli officials are now discussing a specific option for retaliation: demolishing the tunnels beneath the ridge. Security analyst Yair Goldblatt reported the discussions on Thursday, citing a single source. The report comes as the government has yet to reach a final decision on a response, more than a day after the incident.
In reports published on Wednesday at 11:18 Jerusalem, The Zioneer tracked the following: the IDF officially confirmed that a Hezbollah drone had detonated on an engineering vehicle, describing it as a ceasefire violation with no casualties. Israeli officials attributed the attack to Hezbollah and stated that a response was under discussion. The IDF prepared response options, and Kan News reported that Israel was considering previously rejected 'sensitive' operations against the terror group. A subsequent update noted that the government remained undecided, with the IDF awaiting Prime Minister Netanyahu's authorization for any retaliation.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the strategic importance of the Ali al-Taher ridge, where the IDF uncovered Hezbollah's main underground headquarters and has been operating to dismantle the terror group's subterranean network. The ridge has been a focal point of clashes, with Hezbollah claiming attacks on Israeli forces in the area. The option of demolishing the tunnels, if implemented, would mark a significant escalation in Israel's response to ceasefire violations.
The report of discussions remains based on a single source and has not been independently confirmed. It is unclear whether the option has been formally presented to the security cabinet or whether any decision has been made. The Israeli government's response to the Hezbollah drone strike remains unresolved.
13 developments
- StrongLebanese media: Israeli drone strike near Ali Taher ridge, Hezbollah tunnel system area, in Nabatieh al-Fawqa
- StrongAnalyst warns renewed IDF push at Ali al-Taher ridge tonight amid strategic Hezbollah base
- DevelopingIDF aircraft drops flammable material on Ali al-Taher ridge, sparking fire
- StrongIsrael considers letting Lebanese army take over Hezbollah tunnel site as test of Beirut's resolve
Source and signal
- Open-source intake