IDF says it continues operations against Hezbollah within south Lebanon ‘security zone,’ including at strategic tunnel system

The Israeli military says it continues its operations in its declared “security zone” in southern Lebanon, including at a major Hezbollah tunnel system where dozens of operatives are holed up, but has “halted its fire” elsewhere in the country.

The IDF says it received instructions from the political leadership to cease fire following waves of airstrikes on Hezbollah overnight and this morning, in response to attacks on troops.

However, the IDF says it will still work to demolish Hezbollah infrastructure within its security zone — including at the Ali Taher ridge — as well as strike “immediate threats” beyond it.

The IDF assesses that Hezbollah has a major “strategic” underground facility beneath the Ali Taher ridge near Nabatieh. According to the military, the underground site is the “nerve center” of Hezbollah’s Badr regional division.

According to the military, dozens of Hezbollah operatives remained holed up underground in the area, and fighting has taken place above and below ground in recent days.

The Ali Taher ridge was originally not included in the military’s security zone in southern Lebanon. On Thursday, the IDF published an updated map of the “forward defense area,” which now includes Ali Taher, along with the Majdal Zoun area.