IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin spoke on Thursday at the Ali al-Taher Ridge in Lebanon, where the IDF had completed dismantling the Hezbollah terrorist organization’s underground infrastructure.
“I am here in southern Lebanon, deep beneath the Ali al-Taher Ridge, in the network of underground infrastructure that Hezbollah built in the area. Now, after Northern Command forces and the 36th Division achieved operational control of the ridge, we are also completing the dismantlement and neutralization of this infrastructure. This network was built over two decades, funded and directed by the Iranian terrorist regime. The infrastructure that was dismantled served as a central command complex and constituted the center of the Badr unit in the area. From here, Hezbollah managed the fighting in southern Lebanon during Operation Northern Arrows, Operation Roaring Lion, and the current activities," said Defrin.
“The dismantling of the infrastructure marks the conclusion of a ground operation that included a diversion. Troops of the 36th Division captured the Beaufort Ridge from an unexpected direction, after crossing the Litani River and surprising Hezbollah. Following the capture of the ridge, in a sustained and thorough effort by the Commando Brigade and engineering troops from the Yahalom Unit, the underground routes were cleared and prepared for neutralization and dismantlement. In recent months, our troops encircled the area and increased the pressure on the routes and the terrorists who had entrenched themselves inside them. Terrorists who attempted to abandon the route or resupply the terrorists trapped inside were eliminated in strikes from the air and from the ground. Some of the terrorists who attempted to flee were eliminated in close-quarters combat after encountering ambushes by our troops. All of the terrorists who were inside the infrastructure were eliminated or fled," he added.
Defrin indicated that “despite Hezbollah’s declaration that it would defend the infrastructure at any cost, it failed and even abandoned its personnel to die inside."
“Here, in these tunnels, at the heart of this structure, our troops found numerous weapons that Hezbollah left behind. Among them were weapons manufactured by the Iranian terrorist regime. This is further proof that Hezbollah is an arm of the Iranian terrorist regime. Through its proxies, this regime attempts to undermine the security of the State of Israel and threatens to destabilize the security of the entire region. Our mission is now complete," he stated.
“The underground route has been neutralized and dismantled. Alongside the achievements and completion of the mission, the combat came at a heavy cost. Our soldiers, the finest of our sons, the best of us, fell in the battles to gain control of and clear the ridge. These were soldiers who operated with a sense of mission, courage, and a deep commitment to defending the northern communities. From here, I would like to wish all of our wounded a speedy recovery. We completed the mission; these achievements belong first and foremost to them," Defrin said.
He concluded by stating, “We will continue to defend the northern communities and work to remove any threat to our civilians and our troops. Just as we operated here, we will continue to operate along all of our borders. We will continue to stand between every threat and the residents of the State of Israel. This is our duty."