IDF Prepares to Destroy Ali Taher Tunnels as Powerful Blasts Reported in Southern Lebanon

Following threats voiced by Iran, and amid renewed launches of Hezbollah explosive drones toward IDF forces, Lebanese media outlets reported powerful explosions this evening (Sunday) in the Ali Taher ridge area. Earlier today, Hezbollah launched two explosive drones toward IDF forces in the area, and in response, the military announced that it was striking targets in southern Lebanon.

Footage circulated this evening on Arabic-language social media showed many residents making their way north, toward Sidon and even to more northern areas of the country. According to the footage, heavy traffic and long backups were reported in the Sidon area, amid fears of further developments on the front.

Meanwhile, the IDF is preparing to blow up, in the coming days, the two underground routes located beneath the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. After completing the operation, it is expected to begin a gradual withdrawal from the Israeli security zone in the area. This was reported this evening (Sunday) by Kan 11.

According to the report, destroying the routes is expected to be a central stage in implementing the withdrawal plan. Under the outline, which will be brought this week first for approval by the commander of Northern Command and then for approval by the political leadership, IDF forces will gradually leave the "yellow line" and take up positions along the "gray line", a strip located between two and four kilometers from Israel's border. About 20 permanent outposts are planned along the new line.

Even after withdrawing from these areas, the IDF plans to maintain operational control through surveillance systems and Israeli Air Force aircraft. These will be used to identify armed cells and act against them if necessary.

The developments come after two explosive drones were launched overnight toward IDF forces operating on the Ali Taher ridge. There were no casualties in the incident. In response to the launches, the Air Force carried out a series of extensive strikes in southern Lebanon.

One of the strikes targeted a building in Nabatieh al-Fawqa that had previously served as a hospital and was evacuated about a month and a half ago. According to reports, one person was killed in the strike and others were wounded. Following the strike, the American monitoring mechanism demanded clarification from Israel. Official sources told Kan 11 that the building had been used by Hezbollah for military activity, and that evidence of this was presented to the American side.