Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces destroyed the largest Iranian outpost outside Iran – the Ali Taher tunnel network in southern Lebanon – overnight, marking the completion of the mission. The remarks were delivered in a Rosh Hashanah message Thursday night.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Thursday night, in his Rosh Hashanah message, that Israeli forces destroyed the largest Iranian outpost outside Iran — the Ali Taher tunnel network in southern Lebanon — declaring the mission complete. "We destroyed tonight the largest Iranian outpost outside Iran — the Ali Taher tunnels in Lebanon. Completing the mission. Happy New Year," Netanyahu said, framing the facility as an Iranian asset rather than solely a Hezbollah one, underscoring the direct Iranian role in building and operating it over two decades.
The confirmation capped a rapid cascade of official announcements Thursday evening at 21:26 Jerusalem time. The IDF released the full operational picture: more than 1,100 tons of explosives had been used to destroy eight tunnels spanning over 5.4 kilometers, built with Iranian funding over 20 years and housing Hezbollah's Badr Unit command post (versions 2-5). The military then declared the ridge fully cleared, stating all Hezbollah operatives inside were killed or fled, and acknowledged that soldiers fell in the battle (versions 6-9). Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed at the same hour: "We promised and we kept," speaking to i24NEWS (version 10). The demolition — significantly larger than the 700 tons used in a comparable operation on the same ridge in July — marked the final stage of clearing the strategic high ground overlooking Nabatieh.
The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday (21:15 Jerusalem) that the IDF had completed destruction of the Hezbollah underground infrastructure on the Ali Taher ridge, finishing the security zone organization in southern Lebanon. The operation follows months of sustained effort to dismantle Hezbollah's entrenched network in the Nabatieh district, as previously reported when the IDF confirmed operational control of the ridge area on September 4. Netanyahu had also referenced handling the Ali Taher ridge in his earlier Rosh Hashanah-eve statement from the Western Wall, linking the campaign to the broader confrontation with Iran.
All phases of the operation have been officially confirmed by the IDF, Defense Minister, and Prime Minister, with no remaining objectives outstanding. The destruction of what Netanyahu called the largest Iranian outpost outside Iran is complete.
9 developments
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- DevelopingIDF Destroys Hezbollah Tunnels in Lebanon, Warns of More Undestroyed
- DevelopingIDF publishes footage of destroyed Hezbollah tunnels beneath Ali Taher ridge
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