Netanyahu Claims Victory Over Hezbollah at Ali Taher, Beaufort Ridges

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel had secured what he described as another major victory against Hezbollah, claiming the destruction of key militant strongholds on the Beaufort and Ali Taher ridges in southern Lebanon.

In remarks delivered in Hebrew, Netanyahu said the Ali Taher ridge had served not only as a launchpad for attacks on the Israeli towns of Kiryat Shmona and Metula but also as a forward command post for what he called Hezbollah's plan to overrun the Galilee. He credited Israeli fighters with systematically removing large quantities of weapons from bunkers that he said were built with significant Iranian financing.

The statement followed an announcement by Israeli officials on Thursday that they had detonated Hezbollah tunnel networks beneath the strategic Ali Taher ridge near Nabatiyeh. The Israeli military said the ridge housed extensive underground military infrastructure constructed by the group, and that the area had seen weeks of clashes before Israel declared it had taken operational control.

Netanyahu reiterated that Israel's policy remains unchanged, stating that it will continue to dismantle what it terms terror infrastructure inside the security zone in Lebanon and will act against any threat to the country. He warned that any future attack would invite even heavier retaliation, adding that further work remained and would be completed.

The comments underscore the continuing volatility along the Israel-Lebanon frontier, where Israeli forces have been operating against Hezbollah positions in recent weeks.