Green light received? A rain of bombs falls on Hezbollah's "city of refuge" in Ali-Tahar
According to reports, the green light for a significant Israeli operation in the tunnel area on the Ali-Tahar ridge was received from the USA. Lebanese media report a night of intense fighting at the site. The fate of the terrorists trapped in the tunnels is unknown.
A night of fighting in southern Lebanon: According to reports in Lebanon, the IDF operated for long hours last night (between Friday and Saturday) and attacked Hezbollah targets in the area of the city of Nabatieh and on the Ali-Tahar ridge. Air Force fighter jets and artillery batteries participated in the strikes.
In recent days, the IDF, through the fighters of the Commando Brigade and the 7th Brigade operating under the 36th Division, has been increasing the pressure on dozens of terrorists trapped in Hezbollah's strategic tunnels on the ridge.
Avi Ashkenazi at a secret Hezbollah site in southern Lebanon (Photo: Avi Ashkenazi)
These are "city of refuge" tunnels that the Iranians built for Hezbollah's "Badr" forces, intended for defensive and offensive maneuvers against Israel. However, in recent months, these tunnels have turned into a trap. Israel is determined to conquer and destroy them.
According to publications in Lebanon, over the weekend, the American administration, in coordination with the Lebanese government, gave the green light to Israel to act and block the tunnels while the terrorists are still trapped inside.
The situation on the ground is playing in favor of the IDF. A security source revealed to a Lebanese newspaper opposed to Hezbollah that the fierce battles raging around the Ali-Tahar hill prove that Israel is determined to subdue the hill and the network of tunnels within it at any cost. According to security assessments, the IDF is carrying out many secret operations in the area. The source added that the combat status of Hezbollah and Revolutionary Guard fighters is dire, especially regarding supply lines. The IDF currently controls the hill and the exit routes, and therefore "its fall is only a matter of time."
The IDF holds the territory and prevents the transfer of supplies to the tunnels. In Lebanon and the security establishment, it is estimated that it is a matter of days before the terrorists emerge from the tunnels — whether to surrender or attempt to fight.
The IDF estimated that dozens of terrorists are trapped in the "city of refuge," the code name for Hezbollah's strategic tunnels on the Ali-Tahar ridge and in Beaufort. Their numbers have decreased significantly after recent IDF operations. Being completely cut off from the outside world, they are now forced to decide: surrender, stay in the tunnels until death, or come out and try to fight.
