Ali al-Taher ridge becomes pivotal battleground in Israel-Hezbollah conflict

The Ali al-Taher ridge, named after a Shi'ite scholar whose shrine crowns the hill, sits roughly 15 km from the Israeli frontier and dominates the surrounding terrain of southern Lebanon. Israeli forces captured key elevations such as Beaufort Castle after the war began on March 2, and have highlighted the ridge as a primary operational focus, incorporating it into a self-declared buffer zone. Lebanese security sources say Hezbollah has built an underground command centre and ammunition stores there, enabling short-range missile and drone launches toward northern Israel.

Israeli air strikes have intensified, and a June report indicated a soldier was killed and 13 wounded during an attempt to seize a major underground facility. Hezbollah maintains that it still controls the area and stands ready to repel any Israeli advance, while Israeli officials stress they will prevent militants from emerging from the tunnels.