Ali al-Tahar ridge
The Ali al-Tahar ridge is a strategic high point in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh district, rising to 697 meters. It served as a critical Hezbollah logistical hub and subterranean fortress until its capture by the IDF in September 2026.
The Ali al-Tahar ridge is one of the most dominant topographical features in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon. Located in the Nabatieh district, the ridge stands at an elevation of 697 meters, providing a direct line of sight over the city of Nabatieh and across the border into Israeli civilian communities in the Galilee. For years, Hezbollah utilized the ridge's natural elevation to establish observation posts and launch attacks against northern Israel. Beyond its surface advantages, the ridge became notorious for housing a massive, multi-level subterranean complex often described as an 'underground city.' This facility served as a regional command center and logistical hub, reportedly built with the assistance of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). During the intensified conflict in mid-2026, the ridge became a focal point of IDF operations. Following a prolonged siege that included the cutting of water and supply lines to the underground bunkers, Israeli forces conducted a series of high-stakes covert and overt operations. These maneuvers resulted in the elimination of dozens of Hezbollah operatives and high-ranking IRGC officers who were entrenched within the fortifications. In early September 2026, the IDF officially confirmed full operational control of the ridge, clearing it of both surface and subterranean threats. The capture of Ali al-Tahar is considered a significant tactical achievement, as it dismantled a primary Iranian-backed terror asset and provided the IDF with a strategic foothold for further operations north of the Litani River. The operation drew direct threats of retaliation from Tehran, highlighting the ridge's importance to the Iranian regional architecture.