Israel clears Hezbollah tunnels in Lebanon

Israel's military cleared Hezbollah fighters from an extensive tunnel network beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon.The multi-month operation targeted crucial underground infrastructure.The Ali al-Taher ridge, fifteen kilometers from the Israeli border, holds strategic importance.Rising six hundred meters, it offers a commanding view of southeastern Lebanon.It served as the nerve center for Hezbollah's Badr regional division, with command, weapons storage, and attack launch points against Israel.The underground complex, built over two decades with Iranian support, featured command rooms, weapon depots, generators, living quarters, and kitchens, allowing operatives to remain underground for extended periods and conduct combat operations.Troops from Israel's Thirty-Sixth Division gained control of the ridge both above and below ground.During the multi-stage operation, some Hezbollah fighters were killed, while others fled the area.The military confirmed the tunnel clearance is complete, with efforts now focused on neutralizing the infrastructure.This development comes amidst an ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, escalating with a ground invasion into southern Lebanon in March.Despite a United States-brokered ceasefire announced in June, cross-border fighting has continued.Israel has expanded its military presence, stating it will not withdraw from its "security zone" until Hezbollah is disarmed.The clearance of the Ali al-Taher ridge is seen as a major blow to Hezbollah's operational capabilities.