An Israeli security source reported that the bodies of dozens of Hezbollah operatives have been discovered in the tunnel network beneath the Ali al-Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon. The IDF separately released footage documenting the destruction of the underground complex, which Israeli forces previously said contained a strategic command center.
This evening (Thursday), an Israeli security official confirmed to Israeli media that the bodies of dozens of Hezbollah operatives have been uncovered inside the tunnel network beneath the Ali al-Taher Ridge, as the IDF simultaneously released footage documenting the demolition of the underground complex. The confirmation marks the first official acknowledgment of casualties within the strategic tunnel network, which Israeli forces have been clearing as part of ongoing operations.
The first report of the bodies discovery came from an Israeli security source cited by Israel Hayom at 22:03 Jerusalem, initially without further detail. At 22:43 Jerusalem, the IDF published footage of the tunnel destruction. A separate bulletin at 22:45 Jerusalem reiterated the bodies discovery from the same source. Earlier at 21:29 Jerusalem, The Zioneer had reported the IDF's detailed account of the demolition of the network using more than 1,100 tons of explosives. The corroboration progressed from a single source report to an official statement paired with visual evidence.
As The Zioneer reported earlier (bulletins at 21:15 and 21:29 Jerusalem), the Ali al-Taher Ridge tunnel network spanned 5.4 kilometers across eight shafts, built over two decades with Iranian funding to facilitate a large-scale invasion of northern Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz described its neutralization as completing the security zone's organization in southern Lebanon.
The precise number of bodies recovered remains unconfirmed pending an official tally, and search operations may continue. The IDF footage provides visual confirmation of the destruction of the underground complex, but the fatality count is still to be formally determined.
3 developments
- DevelopingIDF publishes footage of destroyed Hezbollah tunnels beneath Ali Taher ridge
- DevelopingIDF eliminates Hezbollah operatives threatening troops at Ali al-Taher Ridge
- StrongIDF seals around 40 Hezbollah operatives inside tunnel complex, security officials say
- DevelopingIsrael Eliminates Dozens of Hezbollah, IRGC Operatives in Covert Operations at Ali al-Taher Ridge, Expands North of Litani
Source and signal
- Open-source intake