Katz Says Israel Has Completed South Lebanon Security-Zone Control Phase

Defense Minister Israel Katz said the capture of Ali Taher Ridge completed the phase establishing control over Israel’s security zone in southern Lebanon. He said intelligence uncovered Hezbollah command-and-control tunnels used to direct attacks on Israeli forces and Galilee communities, and described the ridge as the terrorist group’s last dominant defensive position for the Nabatieh area. The IDF said Division 36 cleared two underground routes and gained operational control above and below the ridge, where infrastructure had been built over roughly two decades with Iranian funding and planning. Katz said Israel would not withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and threats to Galilee residents are removed.